Thank you, Madam Chair. This was an issue that I certainly heard a lot about during the lockdown. As Members are aware, some GNWT staff have worked right through the pandemic. They have worked very hard to implement the different measures that keep us safe. Other people went home and there has been some uncertainty about how productive that time has been for them. In order to provide some accountability and consistency, this policy is a key piece of the puzzle. It will then tell not only the employees but also the public what is expected from someone who's working at home. I think there is a misunderstanding that people who are working at home are only "working," in quotation marks. I know that there are people who are working at home who are working as hard as they would if they work sitting in an office downtown. They are doing the same kind of work. I think there needs to be some confidence building with the public that working at home means working. I think this policy would go a long way toward answering questions about under what circumstances people will work at home and what is expected of them and what supports are provided to them. I certainly will support this recommendation. I just want to note that the timeline here is expedited over the usual 120 days. It's more like two and a half months. the reason for that is so that this policy is in place in the event that there is a second wave, so that it's clear, as I say, what the expectations and supports are for this kind of a move. Thank you.
Julie Green on Committee Motion 33-19(2): Committee Report 2-19(2) - Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Long-Term Recovery: Recommendations to the GNWT - Development of a "Working from Home" Policy, Carried
In the Legislative Assembly on June 11th, 2020. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 33-19(2): Committee Report 2-19(2) - Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on Long-Term Recovery: Recommendations to the GNWT - Development of a "Working from Home" Policy, Carried
Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
June 11th, 2020
Page 1194
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