As many state employees are asked to return to the office, has anyone considered if it's really the best option considering Texas has continued to grow and thrive. After all, Texas has shown over the past five years that productivity stays high even without everyone in the office.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many state employees made the switch to working from home, and lots of them have kept either a fully remote or hybrid schedule. This year, the push to return to the office seems like a decision that might not be the best fit for employees or Texas residents.
As one state employee stated, "It's a bit disheartening to be praised for our hard work and efficiency during the pandemic, only to now feel like our value is measured by how well we can fill up office space."
After the pandemic, office space was thoughtfully downsized to help save taxpayer money. Agencies noticed some great benefits from these changes. For example, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) shared that they’ve been able to save $929,754 each year on facility-related costs, and they’ve redirected those savings to support important activities like client services across various programs.
Moreover, a high-level survey by the Legislative Budget Board in 2024, shared with the Senate Committee on Finance, highlighted that remote hybrid work has been a real boost for their current workforce, especially in terms of productivity. Additionally, Texas has a long history of having committees and agencies evaluate operational efficiency and effectiveness.
Another downside of heading back to the office is the extra commuting costs, time, and traffic that impact all Texans who commute, not just state employees.
As one residence posted who does not work for the State said, "I have to go into work! Tuesdays are the worst drive because hybrid workers choose that day to go to the office. If people can work remote, they should be able to stay home. It's better for the rest of us who have to go to the office because the nature of our work cannot be done remotely."
Another Texas residence wrote, "This doesn’t apply to me personally, but you know what does…..the terrible, horrible traffic and this will add to it! "
Let's be honest, traffic congestion isn't limited to Austin; it's a widespread issue across all metropolitan areas in Texas, largely due to the state's significant population growth.
Additionally, commuting also takes time for everyone involved—a valuable resource that could otherwise be spent on other activities. Time means money so the financial and time costs of commuting are real concerns that affect the overall well-being of all commuters.
Encouraging everyone to head back to the office might make it a bit tricky to keep and attract great employees. During the last (88th) Legislative Session, TPEA kindly reminded Legislators how important it is to keep things flexible to avoid increasing the already high turnover rate (which was over 22%).
Remote (or hybrid) work has been a real plus for bringing in and keeping talented folks, with very minimal downsides. High turnover can lead to extra expenses for taxpayers when it comes to bringing in and training new team members, and it might also mean a dip in the services available to residents.
The Texas Public Employees Association (TPEA) has been a vocal advocate for flexible work policies. Our position remains the same this session: state agencies need the flexibility to set the remote work policies that work best for them and their staff (as long as it meets State guidelines).
We totally understand that it's important to find a balance between what's best for everyone involved, including those who are already commuting. We're just saying, if our state is thriving and growing, why change things up if it might not be the best for taxpayers?
We are hopeful that our legislative leaders will reevaluate the situation and offer a compromise that serves the best interests of both the people and our state.
Currently, HB 635, which addresses flexible and remote work, was referred to the Delivery of Government Efficiency (DOGE). TPEA wrote about remote work in early February, and will continue to monitor this topic closely. We encourage state employees to stay informed and get involved in advocacy efforts by being a member of TPEA. TPEA is your friend at the Capitol.
The more members, the more of an impact during this Legislative Session. Are you a member?