LAKEPORT, Calif. — The city of Lakeport is introducing a telecommuting policy for its staff, a measure that’s meant to make the city more competitive in recruitment and retention.
The Lakeport City Council unanimously approved the new policy at its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
City Clerk/Administrative Services Director Kelly Buendia explained that, in the wake of the pandemic, the business landscape has changed with the onset of working from home, an opportunity adopted by a large number of both businesses and government agencies.
She and City Manager Kevin Ingram have been monitoring the practice, taking classes, looking at policies and talking to other cities to understand how it will impact Lakeport.
“We all came back to city hall and opened our offices much sooner” than some larger neighboring cities, she said.
Buendia said employees want the telecommuting policy, which offers a number of benefits — including increased productivity, overall happiness of certain employees, flexibility and the potential for reduced absenteeism.
Buendia said the city was directly impacted by the loss of two employees who were offered telecommuting opportunities with other agencies.
She emphasized that not every employee and every job is ideal for telecommuting, it isn’t an entitlement, and it has to be addressed by the department director and approved by the city manager.
Employees who want to participate would need to sign an agreement, Buendia said.
Councilwoman Kim Costa said she thought the issues with recruitment are very relevant, with many businesses and agencies going in the telecommuting direction. “It’s sort of a non option to say a hard no.”
Rather, Costa said it’s more of a question of how to do it. Costa said the policy is thoughtful and it’s important that the assessment of who can do it be consistent even though job assignments are different.
Councilman Kenny Parlet said he’s concerned about employees getting hurt at home if their workspaces are a “hodgepodge” with trip hazards and other dangers.
“Other than that, I think it’s a brilliant way to go. I think that it’s necessary,” he said.
Buendia said city staff will keep an eye on the policy, and can beef it up if necessary. She said they are going in with the mindset that it might need to be brought back and strengthened.
Councilman Michael Froio raised the issue about there being no break between work and home life for those taking advantage of telecommuting. He said it’s nice to come to a place where you work, then leave to go home.
Froio said his mind went to the same concern as Parlet’s regarding home office safety, adding that one questionable workers’ compensation claim could wipe out the whole program.
He said they are fortunate to have a city full of very dedicated workers, he’s appreciative of employees and wants to give them every chance possible. If this helps them be more productive and happier, “I’m for this.”
Ingram said the policy will require a work agreement with a workplace environment checklist, which employees must sign saying they will maintain their home work space.
He said staff would like to bring the policy back for occasional updates, adding that the city is already starting to feel the squeeze on the retention side because others are offering telecommuting.
Asked by Lake County News about how many staff have expressed interest in telecommuting, Buendia said they had one person in beta testing and that she didn’t foresee there being a lot more.
Ingram said the city probably has two to three staff who have expressed interest.
Costa, who works for the county of Lake, said some people want structure at the office and others thrive in working from home.
“It feels a little uncomfortable at first because it’s a little different,” she said of the practice.
Costa said she feels like she has more eyes on telecommuting staff even when they’re not in the office. “It’s an adventure that has a little bit of discomfort built into it.”
Parlet moved to approve the policy, which Costa seconded and the council approved 4-0, with Councilman Brandon Disney absent.
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City of Lakeport institutes telecommuting policy for staff
- Elizabeth Larson
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