Minnesota policy change takes effect as many state employees begin working in-office 50% of the time
A work policy requiring Minnesota state employees to be in the office for 50% of their workdays is now in effect, though some agencies are getting an extension to comply.
The change went into effect on June 1, according to Julie Nelson, communications director with the Minnesota Department of Administration.
Twelve agencies have been given extensions that range from mid-June to Sept. 2 due to space limitations or equipment needs, Nelson said.
The Minnesota Department of Health's facility is undergoing "significant construction" and will adapt to the policy based on the construction schedule.
Food trucks lined up outside the State Capitol as thousands of employees returned on Monday.
"I have been home for the last five years," Traci Vibo, a state employee, said.
Vibo says she is trying to maintain a good mood about the change, and that the food trucks were helping with that.
The food trucks, including Nanny's Jamaican Kitchen, are glad workers are back.
"There has definitely been an increase in foot traffic for sure. It's been good. A little hot, but its been good so far," Justin Neal, a food truck employee, said.
St Paul city leaders have pushed for the return to help businesses in that city. But state unions have been pushing back since March, when the policy was announced.
Workers are going back to work at a time when they are expecting layoff notices because the legislature and the governor have not arrived at a budget deal.
The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees represents 18,000 state workers.
"We are frustrated and anxious for this change," Megyn Dayton, the president of MAPE, said. "We don't necessarily understand why decisions are being made, either, so it's kind of compounding the stress and the uncertainty for us."
Other workers WCCO spoke with off-camera told us they aren't happy at all.
"It would have been nice if talks with the unions had been more inclusive," Democratic State Sen. Doron Clark said. "My wish is that the governor had worked more closely with the unions and the workers to bring them back."
Workers living closer than 50 miles from their workplace can still apply for an exemption that would allow them to work full-time from home. We don't yet know how exemptions have been applied for and how many have been granted.
There is an exemption for employees who live 75 miles or more away from their workplace.
Many of the returning state workers will be sharing cubicles with other workers, and are being asked to leave personal items like photos off their desks when they are not there.
