CDFW Proposed Changes to Telework. Last week, CAPS submitted formal objections to several notices about telework that were sent to CAPS Members in CDFW’s Wildlife and Fisheries Division, Oil Spill and Prevention Response (OSPR), and regional offices. CDFW has responded, noting: “The CDFW has absolutely no intention of waiving the 30 day notice requirement. Executive Officers have provided general information of upcoming schedule changes to their respective programs. This messaging does not serve as the 30 day notice…members will be contacted directly by their supervisors to coordinate days in the office that work best for the unit and how those in office days will be spent.”
CAPS still contends that regardless of the intent of the executive officers’ notices, creating division and region-wide blanket in-office requirements does not align with the 2021 Statewide Telework Policy’s guidance that employees in positions designated by management to participate in telework “shall be qualified to participate in telework and are authorized to participate to the fullest extent possible.” CAPS is continuing discussions with CDFW over these notices and their telework program, generally.
Members Important in CAPS Efforts on Telework. CAPS held several department-wide worksite meetings for members at CDFW, SWRCB, and DWR last week, where it was relayed again that telework agreements are permissive by both parties – meaning both the employee and the department have to agree on terms in order for telework agreements to go into effect. As such, members should submit the telework agreement they would like to obtain – whatever that might mean to each individual, instead of believing that you can only submit telework agreements that departments have put forth.
Per the 2021 Statewide Telework Policy, if a member submits a telework agreement, their supervisor must review it and engage with the member to find a best fit for that member based on their job duties. It is CAPS’ view that blanket requirements for in-office days violate the 2021 Telework Policy, as blanket requirements do not consider an individual’s job duties. Should a supervisor disagree with the proposed telework agreement, and should there be no resolution after a discussion, the supervisor can deny that telework agreement submission. If this occurs, the member then has the ability to contact CAPS and discuss the possibility of filing a grievance to attempt to obtain the best telework agreement possible. So, if you find yourself denied a telework agreement that you believe suits your job duties, contact CAPS today at caps@capsscientists.org.
Your Telework Rights One-Pager. As a result of member ideas in the department-wide worksite meetings held last week, CAPS has created a Telework Information One-Pager for members to utilize in navigating departmental requests for new telework agreement forms (the STD 200). It is available here. If you have additional questions, please contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org).
Open Enrollment Begins September 19. The open enrollment period to make changes to your CalPERS health plan begins on September 19 and ends on October 14, 2022. During the Open Enrollment period, eligible employees may enroll in, cancel, or change health, dental, and vision plans; add or delete dependents; enroll (or re-enroll) in a FlexElect program; or enroll in a cash option in lieu of health and/or dental coverage if you have other qualifying health coverage.
In Review. Check out what you may have missed from past CAPS Updates here:
August 23, 2022. Staff Quarterly Report Posted. The Quarter 2 Report detailing representation items of interest is now posted on the Members-Only Section of the CAPS Website here: https://capsscientists.org/members/. The password is ChooseCAPS! – it IS case-sensitive.
Read the rest of the entries, or see what else you may have missed on the CAPS Website here: http://capsscientists.org/members/caps-member-updates/The password is ChooseCAPS! – it is case-sensitive.