Vermont's plan to bring many state employees back to the office three days a week has been partially delayed due to a significant shortage of workspace. The Agency of Human Services announced that some staff based in the Waterbury state office complex will not meet the December 1, 2025, deadline because there are not enough desks to accommodate them.
The setback highlights logistical challenges in unwinding remote work arrangements established during the pandemic and comes amid ongoing opposition from the state employees' union, which has criticized the mandate.
Key Takeaways
- Some Vermont Agency of Human Services employees will not return to the office on Dec. 1 as planned.
- The delay is caused by insufficient office space and a shortage of desks in the Waterbury complex.
- The state is actively seeking to lease additional commercial space to resolve the issue.
- The Vermont State Employees’ Association continues to oppose the hybrid work mandate, citing costs and employee preference for remote work.
Return-to-Office Plan Hits Logistical Snag
The directive for a hybrid work model, requiring at least three in-person days per week, is facing a practical hurdle. In an email to staff, Agency of Human Services Secretary Jenney Samuelson confirmed that space constraints will prevent a full-scale return for all departments by the initial deadline.
"Some departments have sufficient seating capacity today and will be able to meet the Hybrid Work Standard on December 1, 2025," Samuelson wrote in the October 30 communication. "Other departments will require additional time to transition based on current space constraints."
The announcement directly impacts employees within the Department for Children and Families, the Department of Health, and the Department of Vermont Health Access, among others in the agency's central office. The state is now in the process of negotiating leases for more office space in the Waterbury area to accommodate the workforce.
Desk Deficit
As of September, the Department of Health alone was reported to be short by more than 250 desks at its Waterbury location, underscoring the scale of the capacity issue.
A Demonstration of Scarcity
The space shortage was physically demonstrated just days before the official announcement. On October 23, state employees organized a mass return to the Waterbury State Office Complex to illustrate that the building could not support the number of workers mandated to return.
This employee action brought the long-discussed issue into sharp focus, providing a real-world example of the logistical problems facing the administration's plan. The Vermont State Employees’ Association (VSEA), which represents the workers, has been a vocal critic of the mandate.
"There’s almost no communication with the administration on this subject," said Steve Howard, the union’s executive director. He referred to the initiative as a "return-to-commute," emphasizing the financial and time burdens placed on employees.
The union argues that the push for in-person work ignores state survey data indicating that a vast majority of employees feel their performance has been positively impacted by the ability to work remotely.
Navigating the Transition
While the administration maintains that in-person work enhances collaboration and public service, the current situation requires a phased approach. According to an agency spokesperson, some departments will be able to comply fully with the mandate.
These include:
- The Department of Mental Health
- The Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living
- The Department of Corrections
For those in departments without adequate space, a temporary, staggered schedule has been suggested. An agency spokesperson noted that affected employees might work three days in the office one week and two days the next until a solution is found.
Background of the Mandate
The hybrid return-to-office plan was announced by Governor Phil Scott's administration over the summer. The policy was designed to transition thousands of state employees, many of whom have been working remotely since early 2020, back into a regular office presence. State officials have consistently argued that this shift is crucial for improving collaboration and customer service delivery.
Uncertain Timelines and Next Steps
The state has not yet specified where it intends to lease new office space or provided a clear timeline for when the delayed employees will be expected to comply with the three-day-a-week mandate. It also remains unclear exactly how many employees are affected by the delay.
What is certain is that the Department of Vermont Health Access staff currently at the Waterbury complex will be relocated to a new leased space once it becomes available. For now, the focus remains on securing additional facilities to close what Samuelson called the "seat gap."
The VSEA continues to monitor the situation, focusing on the potential costs of new leases and the broader implications of forcing a return to in-person work that, from their perspective, faces significant practical and financial obstacles.