Not all Minnesota government workers will return to the office
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Not all Minnesota government employees will return to the office this summer under Gov. Tim Walz's partial WFH rollback for state workers.
State of play: Attorney General Keith Ellison, State Auditor Julie Blaha and Secretary of State Steve Simon confirmed to Axios that they plan to allow at least some of their employees to continue to work remotely, regardless of where they live.
- As independently elected constitutional officers, the three Democrats — and the employees they hire — aren't subject to the governor's executive order.
Between the lines: The policies — and rationale — from these constitutional officers represent a split from Walz's argument that a part-time return to office is better for collaboration, culture and worker retention.
Zoom in: The offices, which collectively employ about 600 people, have varying telework approaches.
- Blaha "remains committed to a hybrid but mostly remote work policy for her 80-person office, aligning with her belief in flexibility for employees while maintaining efficient services for Minnesotans," a spokesperson said.
- A spokesperson for Ellison, who oversees a staff of over 400, said its policies allowing those who are in good standing and have manager approval to telework up to five days a week when practicable "is an effective employee recruitment and retention tool, as it allows the office to meet the expectations for flexibility set by [the] private practices" it competes against for talent.
- Simon's office told Axios that about 20% of its 120 full-time employees have teleworking agreements where their primary work location is their home. Many are IT employees who live in Greater Minnesota.
The intrigue: Several DFL lawmakers —and one Republican — joined public employee unions protesting Walz's decision at the Capitol last week.
- Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, a longtime labor ally, declined to weigh in when asked if the governor made the right call, telling reporters that it's a "conversation for those workers with Gov. Walz."
What we're watching: Public employee unions have vowed to fight Walz's 50% return-to-office policy, set to take effect for those living 75-plus miles from work in June.