Out-of-state remote work guidance and resources

The state has a clear interest in investing workforce funding inside the state of Washington. However, there may be some exceptional circumstances where a state agency decides to allow a state employee to move out of the state of Washington and maintain employment. This guidance addresses reasons why an agency may want to consider approving requests to work outside the state, and provides guidance on how to manage out-of-state tax and benefit compliance issues.

This guidance attempts to balance the critical goals of finding and retaining the best, most qualified candidates to perform the important work of our state government, while prioritizing the reinvestment of taxpayer dollars back into our Washington state communities.

Change management guidance for sustaining a mobile or hybrid work environment

The guidance on this page is largely structured around the Prosci ADKAR model. This OCM model has five key milestones: Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement. Each of these milestones are sequential and cumulative. But for an organization to be successful, the guidance on this page must coincide with practicing and encouraging empathy, equity, and inclusion for all employees, at all stages of change. That means working with employees, recognizing their unique needs, and seeking to provide access to flexible workplace arrangements with fairness and consistency.

This page also contains tools, templates and learning resources for telework and change management.

Telework and performance management

While many positions are not eligible for telework based upon the assigned duties and business needs, we have learned that with thoughtful performance management, appropriate tools and sufficient organizational support teleworkers can be successful.

This page contains recommendations for managing performance in a remote environment and supporting employees by providing clarity on improving performance and notice before making changes to a telework agreement. It also speaks to the issue of employees providing dependent care while teleworking, and offers some additional resources and links for further reading.

Ergonomics

Ergonomic assessments are a very important part of the health and safety of our employees, regardless of if the telework situation is temporary or long term. On this page, you'll find the step by step process of performing a remote ergonomic evaluation.

We've also provided resources for both employees and supervisors to ensure employees are working safely and ergonomically in their mobile work environment. These resources include a remote ergonomic self-assessment, a remote ergonomic checklist, and a list of typical equipment and tools an agency may want to issue to teleworking employees. You'll also find a link to additional resources from L&I on ergonomics.

Operational interruptions

Power outages. VPN failures. Snowstorms. ISP issues. Even in a mobile work environment, circumstances sometimes result in employees not being able to access their work in the usual way.

On this page you'll find recommendations for all agencies regarding continuity of work during operational interruptions while providing access and options for employees. There are also two visual process maps that outline steps to take and options available during operational interruptions.

Equipment delivery recommendations

Some of your employees have been approved to work from home. What's the best and safest way to provide them with the equipment they need to be effective?

This page provides guidance on the delivery process, the record-keeping needed and what your delivery request form should include, and the best way to plan before delivery and pick-up of equipment for remote employees. It offers some information on best practices whether your agency decides to use internal staff or a contracted company to handle deliveries, and outlines some reasonable accommodations-related considerations as well.

Recruitment and retention best practices

The expansion of mobile work has changed some parts of how we recruit and work to retain our employees, but some things remain the same. This page contains a compilation of best practices, identified challenges (both old and new), and resources that may help recruiters, HR professionals and supervisors hire, engage and develop staff in a remote or hybrid environment. These resources may be equally useful for on-site workers and managers.

Space use, footprints and telework planning

Figuring out how to manage current space - and plan for your agency's future space needs - is more complicated now than ever. On this page you'll find tips and recommendations for all agencies’ human resources staff and facilities staff for how best to work together on agency space use ("footprints") planning.

Although human resources (HR) generally does not have a direct role in facilities planning work, it makes sense for facilities planning staff and HR to partner in discussing the future space needs for their agencies. This teamwork will support our statewide efforts to modernize the workplace, while ensuring equity for all employees.