2.2 ERMUSR 10-11-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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changed at any timeand that the option is a retention and recruitment tool, adding there is cost in losing employees and training new ones. Commissioner Bell notedagain that only certain employees receive the benefit and provided background from his professional experience about the disparity in one employee group having work location flexibility while another did not. Commissioner Bell also noted there are limitations with staff being out of the office and unable to support colleagues. He added if there was a strict schedule for staff to follow he would be more likely to approve the option. Ms. Youngs was recognized to provide comments. She offered context on the scheduling of remote work for staff, sharing that the schedule is set a month in advance. In the event of becoming short on staff in the office, the representative working remotely knows they will need to come in. Ms. Youngs added that customer service staff can use technology to communicate with one another and that there are a lot of projects staff can work on remotely. Ms. Youngs advocated for the continuation of the program for retention. There was discussion. Ms. Karpinski was recognized to provide comments. Ms. Karpinski explained the accounting department’s remote work schedule, sharing that there is always at least one staff member from the department in office. Ms. Karpinski added that in the accounting world there is a lot of hybrid-model remote work positions offered. Commissioner Nadeau stated his agreement with Chair Dietz that staff should return to the office. Commissioner Stewart highlighted statistics from Ms. Youngs staff report which demonstrates there are less than 20 walk-in customers a week, adding her opinion that that was a manageable amount for the staff scheduled to be in office under the remote work option. Mr. Hanson was recognized to provide comments. Mr. Hanson shared the remote work policy from his previous municipal government employer. Commissioner Westgaard asked if the request is stemming from an extension of the protocols around COVID-19 or a change in corporate policy. Commissioner Westgaard stated if it is a change in policy it should be vetted for validity. Commissioner Westgaard added his opinion that collaboration becomes more difficult with members of staff working remotely. He added that ERMU must maintain the level of service that customers expect as well as monitor staff productivity. Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes September 13, 2022 Page 4 33