June 13, 2022 – Richmond, VA
The VGEA Met With the Youngkin Administration to Share the Results of the Telework Survey and to Advocate for a Better Telework Policy
Last week, Secretary of Administration, Margaret “Lyn” McDermid, welcomed VGEA Executive Director, Marshall Terry, and VGEA Lobbyist, Dylan D. Bishop, to the Virginia State Capitol to give them the opportunity to present the results of the VGEA Telework Survey and to advocate for a telework policy that works for all Virginia state employees.
Secretary of Administration, Lyn McDermid, & VGEA Executive Director, Marshall Terry
The Survey
On May 25, 2022, the VGEA asked members who are current state employees to share their hardships related to the new telework policy so that we could compile and present the concerns directly to the administration.
Over 400 state employees responded to the VGEA Telework Survey, and their stories reiterated the VGEA’s commitment to advocate for the following:
- Delay the implementation of the new telework policy to September 12, 2022, vs. the current date of July 5, 2022, to allow state employees additional time to address challenges like childcare, eldercare, etc…
- Reconsider the blanket nature of the telework policy in favor of returning to a policy that considers the complexities and nuances of all state jobs and trusts the administration of the policy to the individual agencies
- Allow the VGEA to provide consultation on this policy and future policies
(See the VGEA Telework Survey Results.)
The Meeting
Our goal in meeting with and cultivating a good working relationship with the Youngkin administration has one purpose: to help ensure state employees and retirees have a strong voice.
Both Terry and Bishop were encouraged by what they called “a frank and productive” conversation for several reasons:
Though a postponement in the implementation of the policy continues to be unlikely, McDermid assured the VGEA that telework applications have been liberally granted where appropriate, and she reinforced that there was never any intention for ill will or rigidity in the new policy.
She also shared important news that may help those who fall into one of the following categories: those who are struggling to arrange childcare, those trying to care for aging relatives, or state employees who were initially hired as teleworkers. Bishop told the WRIC ABC 8News team yesterday that McDermid assured him that those issues, in particular, would be accommodated on a case-by-case basis, though the steps regarding exactly how they would be accommodated weren’t provided by the administration.
(Read the full WRIC article: In state employee survey, Youngkin’s telework policy described as ‘chaos’)
The VGEA was encouraged by McDermid’s candor and her commitment to work with the VGEA now and in the future, and we were excited to learn that she is willing to participate in an interview for our upcoming edition of ForeSight, VGEA’s newsletter.
She also indicated that she will make every effort to attend and speak at our 2022 annual meeting on Saturday, September 10, at the Richmond Marriott Short Pump.
VGEA Lobbyist, Dylan D. Bishop, spoke with WRIC ABC 8News and several other news agencies about the VGEA’s commitment to state employees and telework advocacy.
Final Notes
Both Terry and Bishop have a recommendation for state employees who haven’t gotten a telework agreement that works for their life situation, especially if they fit into one of the three categories mentioned (childcare, eldercare, hired as a teleworker).
- First, reach out to your agency director
- Next, contact your cabinet-level secretary
- Finally, contact the governor’s chief of staff
As requests are escalated, the VGEA team encourages state employees to reach out and let us know about those experiences.
As for the administration’s missed deadline to review all telework applications, McDermid assured the VGEA that the administration is reviewing all applications as fast as possible.
The VGEA will continue to work with the Youngkin Administration on this telework policy and will keep VGEA members up-to-date with the latest news.
As always, reach out to us with questions, comments, concerns, or updates at info@vgea.org.