(The Center Square) – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s order for state employees to return to physical office buildings is meeting some resistance.
State Sen. Beth Liston, D-Dublin, sent a letter to DeWine that says the blanket order undercuts work situations created before the COVID-19 pandemic when remote work options increased.
She wants DeWine to rescind the order.
“On behalf of the voters of Ohio’s 16th Senate District and myself, I urge you to rescind your recent executive order mandating that state employees return to full-time in-office work,” Liston wrote. “A blanket requirement to return to an office setting undermines the many different working environments that have been established across the state to meet the needs of Ohioans.”
As previously reported by The Center Square, DeWine followed President Donald Trump’s lead and issued the order Feb. 4, five years after the pandemic when the state ordered state and private companies to keep employees away from offices.
The order covers permanent employees of state agencies, boards and commissions under the authority of the governor and requires them to perform their duties in a physical office or facility assigned by their organization and not work routinely from a remote location by March 17.
There are exceptions for certain classifications, field workers, or employees who would not have a reasonable office, if an agency is eliminating all or part of its real estate, or if remodeling at an additional cost would be needed.
Liston raised concerns about increased commute times will grow child care needs that are limited in the state and how returning to a physical office could significantly impact rural workers initially hired as remote, adding several hours of drive time a day.
“My office has had many constituents reach out with notable concerns,” Liston said in the letter. “Specifically, how increased commute time will expand child care needs which are very difficult to meet in our state, particularly with only one month’s notice. For some, the travel would waste several hours a day, disproportionately impacting those in rural communities.”