Op-ed: Time to go back to the office
Trending
Let's talk about a subject that some may consider taboo. It's time for all of the employees of the Department of Fiscal Services (DFS) to return to their physical offices, full time. The pandemic is over. DFS is a great asset for our community but, with how it is currently operating, is not living up to the expectations of the taxpayers or the residents of this area. I say this for two primary reasons:
First, every large corporation in the country is requesting/requiring their employees to return to full-time presence in their offices. Even tech giants like Google, who have far superior technical abilities than the federal government, realize they are not getting full production from their employees from a work-at-home situation. Recently, Google advised their employees that not returning to work could affect the employee's evaluation and promotions. With the transparency afforded the public regarding a publicly traded business and their efficiencies and profits, they have to respond to this work-at-home crisis or they will not be able to produce the new and revised products necessary to maintain and increase their stock price. The federal government does not provide the same transparency. As taxpayers supporting agencies like the DFS, we have no inkling as to the efficiencies of their operation. All we know is what every other for-profit entity is saying; we want our employees at work.
DFS may say that they work in small teams on specific projects and that working on-line is fine. But most public entities work in the same project-oriented way and still see the need for consistent interaction to produce the best results. DFS may say that they work for other government agencies so they are not taxpayer supported or the other agencies are satisfied with their performance. However, the taxpayers support those other agencies, so the flow-through is the same.
Additionally, although workers don't necessarily want to give up their work-at-home status, the non-governmental world is telling us that employees do not advance in their capabilities at the same pace when in the work-at-home environment. As taxpayers, we must insist on, at least, the same level of efficiencies as required by private employers. We must insist these workers come back to their physical offices, full time.
Second, as a former chairman of the local development authority, I can tell you having one of this community's major employers allowing their workers to be scattered over a radius of fifty miles or more is not good for community growth. Even the mayor of D.C. recently told the federal government to re-occupy the federal buildings there. Cities and businesses can't grow when there are no takers for their services and products. Businesses need those workers in their shops, picking up items on their way home, using day-care facilities and other businesses in this area. As an integral part of this community, DFS has a responsibility to bring their workers back to the office. The pandemic is over and there are no remaining excuses. Possibly, the natural growth of DFS could have precluded the occupancy of the Federal Building by yet another out-of-town owned drug treatment facility. DFS needs to consider the health and growth of the area that is home to the majority of their employees. We aren't Chicago, D.C. or LA where drugs and crime are a deterrent from coming into the city. If the City of Parkersburg is to prosper, we need those employees on our streets, in our shops and supporting small businesses. The pandemic is over. There are no excuses. It's high time for everyone to come back to work, full time!
Hopefully, this starts the discussion in the public square, where it belongs. As taxpayers, we need to demand accountability from our public agencies. As residents of Parkersburg and the surrounding communities, we need DFS engaged as a partner in our area's growth. I would hope we would hear from the head of DFS, communicating their plans openly. If not, this newspaper publishes the contact information for our Senators and Representatives. We all need to contact them and tell them to get the workers back to work.
***
Edward P. McDonough, a lifelong Parkersburg resident, is a former Parkersburg City Councilman, a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Valuation Analyst and Immediate Past Chairman, Wood County Development Authority.