Remote work will soon be a thing of the past for Arkansas state employees as Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders rolls out new policies aimed at bringing workers back to their offices and expanding family-friendly options.
Beginning Oct. 1, state agencies will end the regular use of remote work and shift to standard office hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Sanders said the move is intended to improve collaboration through in-person work and meetings.
The policy changes also introduce flexible and alternative scheduling options, allowing agencies to maintain coverage during extended office hours.
Additionally, the state’s Infant at Work program, previously limited to certain agencies, will now be available across all departments where feasible. The policy allows parents with children between 4 weeks and 6 months old to bring their baby to work, subject to supervisor approval.
Sanders outlined the changes in a letter to state employees, calling the new measures part of her administration’s “Arkansas Forward” initiative to make government more efficient and responsive.
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