Op-ed: Writer’s opinion on remote work outdated
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I am not an employee or representative of the government agency Mr. McDonough referred to in his opinion article as "DFS," but I can help correct the inaccuracies in his article as a concerned citizen of Wood County. I may also be able to clear up his apparent anxiety over a topic he considers, "taboo." The topic of remote work or telework is something most of us in the corporate and government workforce have been familiar with for many years, long before the pandemic. The idea may feel uncomfortable in circles of individuals who are not familiar with a modern workforce, but it is not novel.
McDonough asserted that "every large corporation in the country is requesting/requiring their employees to return to full-time presence in their offices," which is entirely inaccurate. While there are stories about employers who want employees in the office, the most reputable studies make it clear telework is a priority for workers (especially millennials and younger) and therefore employers. Telework isn't going anywhere. The stereotype of an employee at home watching Netflix on company time is outdated. In fact, a study by McKinsey showed by working from home, employees are more productive and spend more time during the week working rather than commuting. The same study showed 58% of Americans reported working from home at least one day a week and 35% reported using the option to work from home five days a week, across the country and in every sector of the economy, including traditionally labeled blue collar jobs.
Advances in technology have allowed employees in most positions to execute their job duties at home in front of a computer in the same way they would if they physically drove to an office space to sit in front of a computer. Employees can hold face-to-face meetings virtually, access all of the same applications, and collaborate in real time. The advancement has allowed for expanded telework options for corporate and government employees alike. Before the pandemic, business and government workforces were already trending more toward remote work as a means to save energy, space, and resources. An increase in telework for federal employees translates to cost savings for taxpayers.
As "a former chairman of the local development authority" McDonough should know the Bureau of the Fiscal Service is only one bureau within the Department of the Treasury. This specific bureau alone operates out of several cities in several states and the District of Columbia. All locations, far beyond "a 50-mile radius" of Parkersburg utilized telework well before the pandemic. Employees at all locations are working in the office and at home. They work on teams large and small, geographically dispersed around the U.S. Just ask them.
It is also important for McDonough to know the federal workforce did not shut down during the pandemic unlike many private businesses. Federal government employees continued to perform essential functions from home under all of the same attendance and performance requirements and while meeting or exceeding all of the same metrics. The essential functions performed by federal employees ensured the continuity of things like Social Security checks, tax refunds, unemployment, a paid and supported military, science, medicine, food and drug safety... you know, all of those things the American people regularly rely on. If they could keep government functioning from home during the pandemic, certainly they don't need to be in the office full-time to keep it functioning now.
Since McDonough claims to be concerned about the economy of the Parkersburg area, he might also like to know that federal government employees worked from home to supply many Parkersburg area residents with stimulus payments under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Federal government employees working from home also ensured many Parkersburg area business could stay afloat by processing applications and awarding PPP loans and other funds to struggling local businesses. Federal employees are also taxpayers. In fact, many employees who report to the Parkersburg BFS location pay the City of Parkersburg user fees along with their local taxes, depending on where they live.
Government agency employees, like those at BFS, have made information more transparent than ever with easy-to-use tools which are available to everyone, especially those like McDonough who have, "no inkling" about federal government performance. All citizens, with any access level, can find information (like the correct name of a nearby government agency) in a matter of minutes. Treasury.gov, provides an immediate list all Treasury bureaus and more information about the functions each one performs right from the home page. BFS' website, fiscal.treasury.gov includes a link on the home page to services for the general public, where anyone can look up things like U.S. spending, revenue, or deficit data. Anyone can find out which businesses in Parkersburg received government assistance during the pandemic through a search on the Small Business Administration's website.
Telework.gov provides updated guides and resources for "the continued evolution of telework as a critical workplace flexibility." The U.S. Office of Personnel Management published publicly available guides to support all federal Government workplaces "in a transition to a more hybrid work environment" so the "Federal Government can remain competitive with other sectors." Competitive advantages are essential to all employers, federal employment is not excluded. Surely McDonough does not think a handful of employees within two buildings could support the economy of one of the largest cities in WV by way of a 30-minute lunch break. McDonough wants "those employees on our streets, in our shops and supporting small businesses," but he also wants them to get "back to work." Which is it? Is a dwindling workforce "on our streets" during work hours more able to support our local businesses than a thriving, competitive workforce "on our streets" after work hours?
I am concerned there are individuals like McDonough scratching for a voice in local government who do not seem to know enough about the subjects they take issue with. Opinions like his are often regurgitated talking points, rather than real solutions to real problems.
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Heather Wilson is a Williamstown resident and a lifelong resident of Wood County.