Public sector work-from-home policies: For local governments, the time is now

Over the last several years, a variety of factors have disrupted work environments in ways no one could have predicted. This shift caused plenty of chaos initially, but in the long run it gave rise to a powerful opportunity for change.

As many private-sector companies insist on returning employees to the office full-time, local governments have a rare moment to experiment with flexible work arrangements, including work-from-home (WFH) policies, to attract new talent and retain current employees.

Now, more than ever, public sector organizations have the chance to gain a competitive edge by embracing flexible work arrangements. The time for local governments to act is now.

Setting the stage: WFH policies are working across the country

Across many sectors, WFH policies have moved from an emergency response to a viable long-term strategy.

Some private-sector organizations continue to offer flexibility, while others are revisiting their WFH policies and are forcing employees back into offices, despite the continued popularity of remote work.

In turn, while many workers who were initially hired under hybrid or remote conditions now face the prospect of returning to an office full-time, this shift has created a significant opportunity for local government agencies to attract a talented workforce who values work-life flexibility.

The key reason why local governments should consider adopting WFH or hybrid policies is simple: The demand for talent is high, and competition from the private sector is fierce. Post-2020, local governments have struggled with vacancies, as workers have left government positions in part due to the lack of flexible work options. While vacancies within local government are not as high as they once were, there is now an opportunity to expand talent pools by offering WFH, hybrid and flexible work options to employees.