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* The Tribune’s Robert Channick…
A growing number of companies are pushing their return to the office back to October and beyond, as the COVID-19 delta variant fuels a pandemic resurgence across the country. Some companies are also mandating unvaccinated employees either get jabbed before they come back or get a new job.
From Northbrook-based pizza chain Lou Malnati’s to online retail giant Amazon, many Chicago-area employees are getting the same message: Stay home, at least for now.
That was not the plan for many businesses, which until recently targeted September as the consensus point of return to the office for at least some of their remote workforce. But the rise of the more transmissible delta variant has changed those plans, with companies large and small moving the office return date back to the fall, and in some cases, next year.
In late July, tech giants Google and Apple told employees they were pushing back the office returns from September to October. Microsoft soon followed suit, and Amazon upped the ante, delaying its office return until January 2022.
* Mark Maxwell…
Illinois lifted all capacity limits and social distancing requirements for private businesses two months ago, ‘fully reopening’ from the restrictive pandemic protocols that confined public life for nearly a year-and-a-half. Yet, months after the state entered the new ‘Phase 5’ of Governor Pritzker’s plan to rebuild from the Coronavirus, approximately four in ten state workers are still working remotely.
A Pritzker administration memo says 40% of state workers in executive agencies are not reporting to work every day in the office, though several agency heads said their workers are still able to be effective and productive by working from home or by visiting the office on rotation in a hybrid manner.
The internal document, which was obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, charts out how many workers from each agency are working from the office every day compared to how many are working virtually or “on rotation.” Out of 48,480 state workers in those agencies, 19,190 were listed as remote or on rotation at the time the July 9th memo was prepared. The figures merely represented a snapshot in time, and have likely fluctuated over the last few weeks as several agencies have ramped up efforts to negotiate a gradual return to government offices.
Nearly a third of those remote or hybrid workers were from the Department of Human Services, which had reported 55% of its workforce back in the office full-time. However, the agency said their productivity actually increased after they sent more than half of their workers home when the pandemic hit.
There are so many distractions in an office, so I can see why productivity might actually increase.
* Mike Miletich on workers who can’t stay home…
Meanwhile, the Illinois Department of Human Services is responding to outbreaks in care facilities. DHS Senior Policy Advisor Dana Kelly says 10 of the state’s 14 facilities have an “outbreak status.” Kelly noted there are very few breakthrough cases, but you can see several facilities had fully vaccinated staff and residents contract COVID.
The department also reported 155 full-time staff tested positive between April 24 and July 23. Although, only 21 of those employees had vaccinations.
“We continue to promote strict adherence to safety protocols and long-term care guidelines according to IDPH guidance,” Kelly said.
IDHS has provided 28,276 vaccinations at facilities across the state since January. Kelly explained 82% of those, 5,270 shots, went to residents and patients. She also noted 53% of the doses, 6,290 shots, went to IDHS facility staff. 11,179 community members and 5,290 SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid clients also received vaccines.
82% of all patients in DHS facilities have received at least one dose. Kelly explained 79% of patients have received both doses. However, only 53% of DHS staff are vaccinated. Kelly said 45% of employees at developmental centers have received at least one dose. Meanwhile, 67% of staff at psychiatric hospitals received vaccines.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 3:08 am
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None of that 40% of state employees working remotely includes anyone at Secretary of State. SOS has been entirely back in office since June 1, 2020, immediately after stay at home orders ended.
And it seems like the Capitol Complex parking lots are full again (or nearly full), so I think most people in the complex are back to work in person.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 5:08 am
==There are so many distractions in an office, so I can see why productivity might actually increase.==
The federal agency that my son works for surveyed all managers & department heads after being fully remote for about nine months. Most reported increased productivity while a few reported no change. Not one reported a decrease in productivity.
Comment by Out Here In The Middle Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 6:17 am
Cook County should be working remotely too.
Comment by ;) Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 8:03 am
If productivity has really increased, it will be interesting when some of these leases come up for renewal. Working remote can save a good amount of money. This has proven to be a success according to this memo.
Comment by Alice Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 8:46 am
Comment by Humboldt Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 8:47 am
-EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham- Why are you obsessed with butts in seats? The state workforce is vast and varied. All of us serve the citizens of Illinois but not all of us do it in a public-facing way. The SOS workforce is a tiny fraction of the Executive Branch work force; and many of you are public facing–vehicle services, libraries, archives, etc. So that needed to drive your return to the office plan.
I can only speak for my agency but our work it is getting done. Sometimes is record time. We will all solve this puzzle in our own way.
Comment by Sangamo Girl Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 9:10 am
I’m proud of managing to make a blank post somehow. Anyway, private company employee, after going remote last year we managed to downsize office space significantly. Our plan was to return to in office 1x a week after Labor Day, and we’d keep that long term. We’ve since put the brakes on that thanks to Delta. Perhaps i’ll see my coworkers in person come January.
Comment by Humboldt Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 9:11 am
==There are so many distractions in an office, so I can see why productivity might actually increase.==
Losing commutes leads to increased productivity as well.
Also, NBER research shows that the 40% is line with government as a sector nationwide.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-22/yes-working-from-home-makes-you-more-productive-study-finds
Comment by Shield Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 9:29 am
CMS is still planning to send more (if not all) workers back on September 7.
I realize Illinois is not Florida or Texas — but this date — forecast in advance of the (potentially looming) Delta crisis makes little sense. I know some — and I’d guess many — of the 40% still working from home have no desire to go back *during Delta.*
Most of my colleagues want to be back. But they don’t want to be back during this particular surge.
But that’s CMS. My hope is that the unions can push this September 7 date back until the surge (perhaps the last one) passes or is definitively on the wane.
In terms of rent/smaller offices: absolutely. It makes sense to have a permanent hybrid model (2 days in office, 3 days at home) with office shaaring.
However, a little birdie tells me that very executive agencies are interested in a office sharing model. Most exec directors/deputy directors are waiting (intently, it seems) for the day when everybody is back in the office and there is no more remote work for anyone at all — nevermind the potential cost savings of smaller, more efficient offices.
*shrug*
I can only imagine how bad this might be if Rauner was still helming the state. It’d be like Texas and Florida times ten.
Comment by Mr K Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 10:04 am
Sangamo Girl - Exactly. Not every state employee deals directly with the public.. My agency is also getting the work done and almost all employees have been more productive at home than in the office.
Comment by CardsFan Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 10:07 am
We all had to be back 100% in the office starting August 1st. So now I drive to work, pay to park, and sit in my office with my door closed working on spreadsheets and answering emails. So far no one has been able to explain to me the benefit of doing that rather than continuing to work from home.
Comment by tea_and_honey Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 10:12 am
Employers take note, WFH is going to be the new hot benefit to entice new hires. My commute is about ~$3000/year + time, and if you can reduce or remove that, I’m going to listen.
Dinosaurs who insist on in office 5 days a week are going to be left behind.
Comment by ChrisB Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 10:31 am
@tea_and_honey: It’s a control thing. Many of those at the top of the chain still believe that if they can’t see you then you must not be working. Contradictory data will not sway them. Or they enjoy the power trip from seeing “my people” at their desks.
If people can do their jobs from home at least as well as in an office then give them the option of a hybrid arrangement, at minimum. It cuts carbon consumption and congestion for those who have to use the roads. As for the unused office space we have a housing shortage in many cities. Perhaps some of that could be converted into living spaces.
Comment by Independent Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 10:44 am
I read in Bloomberg (i think) where good office space costs an employer $20,000 a worker a year.
I’m not sure if those costs can really be even cut in half with a hybrid work schedule. But for some office folks if the business is saving that over say 6,000 employees, then some of that money goes to better work from home set-ups, hopefully some of it gets put back into paychecks and the company keeps some too. I didn’t think WFH would last this time a year ago. But with Delta, and now likely an entire year of WFH for some folks, I think its a much sticker plan for many businesses.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 10:49 am
Since they’ve reopened my state agency’s offices at the end of June, six people have self-reported contracting COVID in our Springfield office (some fully vaccinated), another nineteen have resigned or separated employment, and email reminders about how to properly wear a face mask and when occur on a weekly basis. Interesting to note: all of the departures were Tier II contributors with 6 years in or fewer, which is the canary in the coal mine for agencies where career experience and potential for career mentorship are concerned. While my position is field-based, there was absolutely no sound reasoning given for opening our offices beyond the impression among our management that ‘everybody’s doing it.’ In actuality, productivity at home was never higher; the excessive hiring of high-salaried admin staff, rendered idle and irrelevant during the pandemic’s height, was but one of the unfortunate realities that forced my agency’s change in operations.
Comment by Keith Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 11:02 am
I’ve been back in the office hybrid for a month (manufacturer on the north side). I spend my days in the office doing Zoom meetings (most of our meeting rooms are not considered safe enough for much capacity), and I schedule work needed to be in person (for instance working on hardware) to be done while I am there.
I’m actually enjoying my commute. I use a bluetooth speaker in my car and crank up BR24 (Bavarian radio station in German). It’s such a hoot to follow along with the weather and traffic reports.
Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 11:03 am
==There are so many distractions in an office, so I can see why productivity might actually increase.==
I find the opposite–I am much more productive in the office as there are too many distractions at home.
Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 11:06 am
State worker here, not in a public-facing job. We’ve been back in the office since the end of June. The overpriced lease for our building was renewed this year. Despite being told for over a year that we’ve done a great job getting work done and that we’ve received wonderful feedback from the people we serve, we were abruptly brought back full-time for “appearances.” Morale is lower than ever and, more importantly, productivity has dropped off dramatically. At least middle management can go back to looking useful again, I guess.
Comment by Rusty Shackleford Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 11:14 am
32nd Ward
I tend to agree but I think a lot of that is your set up. I’m more productive if my kids are at grandma’s or school less when they’re home. A lot of folks are home because of Covid so probably don’t have a dedicated space for work. Mrs and I have discussed that future homes will have an office in the basement/upstairs or space to renovate into such.
Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 11:16 am
There is a place in the chicago burbs I was doing remote contract work for last year, who tried to bring everyone back in the office - last August.
Even people who were hired to work remote were being told they now had to go into the office every day. This was for mostly technical ecommerce work that in no way required a physical presence.
By the end of the week of that announcement, about 15% of the staff in departments I worked with had quit instead of going to the office for no real purpose.
2 months later, the CEO was fired by the board.
A year later, they are still running help wanted ads for those positions in the print edition of the Tribune classifieds.
IT is a small world. When you burn an entire group of professionals like that, other professionals will see that and won’t ever want to work for you.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 11:42 am
From what I have seen, most agencies are leaving it up to the manager as long as they are more productive. My office in particular are allowing work from home as long as we exceed a specific metric. Some offices are planning on a hybrid and some are going fully remote. In the agency I work with now really depends on productivity and if the are public facing.
Comment by Union thug Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 11:50 am
I manage a state agency division and my folks are dispersed across the state. From where I sit, I don’t see any issue with their productivity and if it were up to me, I’d opt for working from home on a permanent basis.
Comment by A Guy in Illinois Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 12:03 pm
If there’s anything someone should learn while studying management in a classroom setting, it’s that loss of productivity is usually caused by bad management practices.
Bad management practices are also one of the hardest things for a manager to identify and the state has never exactly prided itself on developing managerial skills in it’s administrators.
If a specific section or area is looking at a loss in productivity regardless of whether or not it happened in a pandemic this issue should be explored with an open minded approach rather than falling prey to the idea that the employee is lazy or not dedicated to their job which is often the first suggestion offered by the bad manager responsible for the downturn in work.
A bad manager is also very rarely willing to recognize that their lack of leadership skills or professionalism is the contributing factor the poor performance of their subordinates.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 12:17 pm
-rusty-
Is your office in Chicago? I read that CMS was evaluating all loop/ downtown offices.
Comment by Alice Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 12:55 pm
Alice, our building is in Springfield. We share a building downtown with another State agency. We do also have a Chicago office that is in the process of moving to a different building though.
Comment by Rusty Shackleford Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 1:09 pm
I expect commercial vacancies to increase noticeably and permanently, nationwide, as employers who have developed new options out of necessity now reduce leased space to cut costs, lowering the market value of the properties.
Comment by James Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 1:25 pm
Dinosaurs who insist on in office 5 days a week are going to be left behind.
….
Yup. If work can be done at home or remote then let it be done. No longer should Rich Miller be the only one working from home.
Comment by Real Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 1:52 pm
My employer is set to bring all employees back to the office, despite having our most profitable year ever last year when around 50% of us were working remote.
No explanation as to why we have to come back, other than to “go back to normal”, which most of us realize isn’t something that will truly happen any time soon.
Comment by Techie Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 2:06 pm
Not trying to start an argument, just curious…Does the desire to be in the office/see your staff vs. desire to work from home fall along generational lines at all? Both as a manager and as a worker.
Comment by CentralIllinoisSuzie Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 3:43 pm
When all is said and done it will be interesting to see how this all shakes out. There are certainly pros and cons to both being in the office and telecommuting. For one example, does the increased productivity come to the detriment of team-building and personal connections between co-workers?
Comment by MyTwoCents Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 5:16 pm
ISBE is the agency referred to above that has been back full time since the end of June. I think we have at least 8 positive cases with two cases just this week (and it’s only Tuesday). Employees are scared to come to work and morale is incredibly low. Employees feel like pawns being used for public perception when we proved we were extremely proficient at doing our jobs from home. The spread of Delta is incredibly high right now, yet our agency is not willing to do anything to keep us protected. No hybrid method considered, no additional options to work from home, vaccination status is not asked and so unvaccinated individuals are not wearing masks when they are in their cubicles. (Not sure how the aerosols only stay in one cubicle). No changes to the HVAC in the building. Please can someone in the Governors office step in?
Comment by Scared State Worker Tuesday, Aug 10, 21 @ 5:27 pm
Rusty , similar situation. Springfield office, share building, parking costs passed to employees, numerous Covid positives over last 4 months, management insisting on coming back in though most production up, they started 4 months ago making some of us come in once a week then increased to 2. Saw the lease amount in IL Times last week, they could reduce that a lot. They switch us form desktop to laptops with docking station. Must be upper management pushing to come back. was told last year this WFH could be permanent.
Comment by Peanut Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 8:48 am