Committee tightens telecommuting rules, clarifies exceptions and IT/security expectations

The Waukesha City HR Committee approved revisions to the city’s telecommuting (work-from-home) policy that emphasize flexibility while limiting fully remote arrangements.

Marquise summarized the changes, telling the committee the policy "is not guaranteeing that people can work remotely, but it is giving the option to departments who feel that it's appropriate." The update clarifies that remote work eligibility will be assessed based on workload, availability and employee performance and that the policy does not permit any city employee to be 100% remote.

Committee members raised questions about equipment and IT security. Matthews asked whether new equipment would have to be issued and how it would be budgeted; Marquise replied that most employees should be able to work from home with existing equipment and that security measures implemented during COVID are in place to support remote work. Members also asked whether medical or workers-comp exceptions would be covered; staff said those exceptions would be handled through FMLA, ADA or department-level accommodations rather than this policy.

A motion to approve the policy as written was moved and seconded; the committee voted by voice and the chair recorded the motion as passed unanimously. The policy includes limits on the number of remote days and reiterates that final approval rests with departments and supervisors under the outlined criteria.