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Arcangel613 t1_jb0ntrv wrote

So the new DEP sec had a 'fun' little meeting two weeks ago and we were told "teleworking is a privilege not a right"

Which....Given that several of us signed on with contracts that state we can fulltime/part time telework....im not sure how that's a privilege.

It's since been stated to a few of us by several senior DEP employees that:

  1. The state is having retention problems due to low pay

  2. A lot of senior level employees moved away from the large city centers when teleworking was implemented and are close enough to full retirement they'd rather retire than come back

  3. A lot of new employees took paycuts to come to the state with the understanding that the cost saved from going to an office by teleworking would make up for it. These employees might leave for the private industry if they lose the one plus they had coming here.

The over all take away was that it seems no one aside from the governor has any idea about what's going to happen with it. But management is aware if teleworking goes away, it's not going quietly.

I know our union reps are trying to get teleworking put into the new contract. If you have any concerns I'd reach out to your union rep and let them know how you feel about it. The more voices the better.

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Atrocious_1 t1_jb1gb5v wrote

Well, why would Pennsylvania do the smart thing when they can do the least efficient, costlier thing. Idgaf about all the small business owners in center city kicking up a fuss because they can't charge the office drones 20+ for a dry egg sandwich and crappy coffee anymore

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xxdropdeadlexi t1_jb28rx7 wrote

they think everyone would be going to those restaurants again but the truth is that we're all so much poorer from inflation that we'd be packing our lunches anyway.

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ell0bo t1_jb2p7sk wrote

Cities need to be made to live in, not to be commuted into. This change will happen, over time, but the cities need to adapt.

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yodathatis t1_jb2tuzv wrote

That's what triggered me. I already started packing more and will patronize hrg businesses even less if they force us back.

Strawberry Square food is substantially worse than outside the city and more expensive. Even the taco bell has items $2 more than outside the city. No shit these businesses are struggling. They are charging $12+ for the cheapest option and it is usually shit quality.

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ChatNoir33 OP t1_jb0qb0p wrote

This is the exact type of answer I was looking for. Thanks so much!

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ChatNoir33 OP t1_jb0t4yz wrote

I heard that the union wasn’t too keen on putting telework into the contract and are actually discussing calling union staff back into the office in August.

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Arcangel613 t1_jb0v3al wrote

Yeah and I also heard that at that meeting two weeks ago they'd be telling us we are back in full time.

Then I was told actually we're going to be told we're doing three days a week in the office...

Then I was told actually it's just managers going to get called back three days first.....

Oh actually, managers are gonna be coming in full time...

My point is, unless you get it in writing from the governers office, stop believing all these stupid back to work rumors flying around.

Let the office pessamists work themselves up, dont feed into it by spreading all those rumors. Like I said, talk to your union rep about your telework opinions, tell them you want to telework. Or If you aren't in the union consider joining so that you can voice your concerns yourself.

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ChatNoir33 OP t1_jb10pau wrote

I’ve been trying to be the voice of reason in my office about the rumors, but it does get exhausting.

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thenewtbaron t1_jb14j5z wrote

Well, there is something to be said for being a voice of reason. However, I have seen the state do dumb dumb things regarding state employees for decades now. Oh, the republican congress and republican governor starts not to pay into the pensions, cool... then they complain about the pensions being underfunded and have cut the pension - on of the things that really brings folks into the state employement.

They also don't do half measures or easy situations, like if I could go into the office when I want to, i'd be in more often but it would have to be every wednesday or one wednesday every month, similar to the AWS bullshit. I'm not doing that, i'm staying home full time if i can.

It is possible that the union gets telework into the new contract and those usually do include general management level staff as well, since it is easier but it is possible that management level are not included in that.

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ScienceWasLove t1_jb1xqzs wrote

Our teaches union (in Central PA) is currently grieving the jobs of the online only teachers that are working from home.

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General_Coast_1594 t1_jb1lxwn wrote

I fall under the people who have to go back three days a week starting tomorrow and I was told I have to sign a new telework agreement. The old one is no longer valid.

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hippata2023 t1_jb1qg5i wrote

> 3) A lot of new employees took paycuts to come to the state with the understanding that the cost saved from going to an office by teleworking would make up for it. These employees might leave for the private industry if they lose the one plus they had coming here.

So much this. My department's down about 20-30% workers since the start of COVID and most of those people left when it was told that they had to come in for some days in the office last year. Senior leadership is expecting another 20-30% to leave if we're forced to come for any amount of days.

That's a lot of workers to replace and not a lot of applicants coming in.

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universe_point t1_jb9uvi1 wrote

Ha. I was also on that meeting (virtually, from my house across the state, wonderful how that works when you can work from home), your description is very accurate. Anyways, I contacted the union this morning and requested that they push hard to keep telework for us as a part of the new contract. The person who responded to me said he has received similar feedback and would pass my message along to the negotiating team. I don’t have high hopes, but glad I said what I wanted to say.

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