State extends telecommuting provisions for PEF, CSEA workers until 2021

Categories: News

The Public Employees Federation (PEF) and The Civil Service Employees Union (CSEA) have agreed to a third extension of the emergency agreement with the Governor’s Office for Employee Relations, giving state employees the ability to request to work from home through Jan. 1.

Under the agreement, state employees will be able to work from home up to five days per week with approval from supervisors and their job’s human resources department.

“We are pleased the state recognized the concerns and took into consideration the needs of our members,” said PEF President Wayne Spence. “Extending this agreement will afford members the flexibility they need to deal with childcare issues stemming from virtual learning and daycare closures; reduce density on public transportation and in office buildings; and help contain the spread of COVID-19.”

The agreement is also extended for those represented by District Council 37, United University Professions and workers without union representation or working in management-confidential positions.

Spence continued in a statement: “Our members provide vital and essential services for New York state and telecommuting allows them to continue to do so while also protecting themselves, their families and their communities. We hope this extension allays some of our members’ concerns during this difficult time.”

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