In March 2020 the Health District quickly created a temporary telecommuting policy to provide the ability for employees to telecommute which would help slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep a healthy workforce. The District has been providing the option for telecommuting over the last 19 months, feedback from employees is that it has worked well. Therefore, we would like to bring forward a permanent policy (Exhibit A) to continue providing the program.  

The purpose of this policy is to establish uniform standards for implementation, selection, supervision, and evaluation of employees who are authorized to telecommute Employees are required to submit a telecommuting application in writing or email, with the following information:

• Proposed telecommuting day(s) requested
• Proposed hours for days requested
• Tasks the employee proposes performing while telecommuting
• How performance will be assessed for work performed while not on site
• Impacts on the employee's work unit

Employee will submit their request to their supervisor using the telecommuting agreement (Exhibit B), then the supervisor will work through the request using the checklist (Exhibit C) to decide if they will approve or deny the request. Regardless of the outcome, the request (approved or denied) would be forwarded to HR to be placed in the Employee’s personnel file.  

Based on feedback from previous Board meetings, two items have been added to provide clarification.

1. Differences of field staff and non-field staff. Field staff may be provided permanent telecommuting as a condition of employment with no permanent space at Health District offices. Instead, they will have the ability to drop in as needed to pick up supplies or print/copy materials. They will have access to hoteling space to connect to District networks. Non-field staff will request telecommuting as an option with the supervisor, assistant director, and director approving or denying the request.
2. Clarification on reasonable commute. Field staff will need to reside within four listed counties - Snohomish, King, Island, or Skagit, as their permanent location. Non-field staff with an approved telecommuting agreement may designate a remote location within Washington State as their permanent location, as long as they can commute to in-person meetings, as requested by leadership/HR, with 24-hours' notice.

Consistent with Resolution 19-20 and the revised Division of Responsibilities (10/8/19), the Board of Health approves personnel policies.