Agency management is trying to reduce the number of days we can telework, even though we have demonstrated its effectiveness for the mission and seen how it has enhanced our work-life balance and overall job satisfaction.

Together, we’ve started a petition urging Julie Su, the Acting Secretary of Labor, to maintain our current telework policies. Your signature will help show our collective support for maintaining the status quo on telework.

PETITION LETTER THAT WILL BE SENT TO ACTING SECRETARY SU:

Dear Acting Secretary Su,

We, the undersigned members of the Department of Labor's National Council of Field Labor Locals and AFGE Local 12, write to express our strong support for continuing the current telework policies that have been in place for years. Our experience during this period has demonstrated the feasibility of telework and its numerous benefits.

There is no evidence to support the assertion that telework is hurting employees or services at the DOL. Multiple anecdotal comments and compliments from DOL management to our bargaining unit employees suggest that productivity levels have either improved or remained consistent.

Furthermore, our members have experienced a notable improvement in work-life balance, leading to enhanced employee satisfaction and well-being. This shift has benefited the employees and the department, yielding high-quality work outcomes. Indeed, the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey shows that employee engagement at DOL is up by 8% and overall satisfaction at DOL is up by 5% since telework became more widely available.

Despite the lack of supporting evidence, there is a movement towards revising these telework policies, potentially reducing the flexibility that has proven so popular and effective. We respectfully request that you consider the positive impacts that telework has had during this unprecedented period and advocate for the maintenance of the status quo regarding telework arrangements within the Department of Labor.

We are aware of the pressure certain members of the administration are placing on agencies to require specific across-the-board telework policies, regardless of the evidence that telework has been and will continue to be an excellent recruitment and retention tool that also improves agency performance. Nevertheless, we believe that a collaborative approach, considering the perspectives and experiences of all stakeholders, is crucial in shaping a policy for DOL that best serves the interests of the employees, the department, and the American people we are proud to serve.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to a constructive dialogue and a favorable consideration of our request.

Sincerely,