Multiple state agencies set to return-to-work in-person on Monday

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — In a follow-up to a story we ran earlier in the month, we asked many of Texas's biggest agencies if they plan to return remote workers to the office. We found at least eight agencies have already returned at least some of their remote workers, or plan to return at least some of their remote workers on Monday, March 31.

Legislative Budget Board

A spokesperson with the agency said on Wednesday, "No guidance has recently been provided to our staff regarding telework policies.  All of our employees are currently required to work full-time in office." The statement was identical to one sent to Nexstar earlier this month.

Sunset Advisory Commission

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

State Bar of Texas

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Attorney General

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

General Land Office

"The Texas General Land Office (GLO) has had one of the strongest return-to-work policies in the State of Texas since Commissioner (Dawn) Buckingham assumed office and will immediately be transitioning to a five-day in-office work schedule," Bary Hunt, the press secretary for the department, wrote. "This decision aligns with our goal to foster a collaborative and dynamic workplace that directly supports our shared mission of serving Texans. In-person interactions and teamwork are crucial in meeting the diverse needs of our agency and the citizens we serve."

Secretary of State

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

State Auditor

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Department of Information Resources

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Texas Lottery Commission

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Texas Military Department

"TMD federal employees have returned to in-office work in compliance with a DoD directive, ending our remote work pilot," a representative with the Texas Military Department said.

Texas Veterans Commission

"The Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) began return to in-office work in March," Public Affairs Officer Jim Halbrook said in a statement to Nexstar. "TVC informed all its employees across the state of a phased-in return plan, which does still allow for telework on an approved case-by-case basis. This phasing in will be completed in April. Our return to in-office work full-time aligns with our federal partners, including the VA."

"TVC is committed to providing veterans and their families the best customer service to access the benefits they have earned and connect them with the resources to meet their needs. We do that by being available in-person or on the phone five days a week, including with after-hours availability and attendance at veteran resource fairs on the weekend," he continued.

Department of Public Safety

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

"Employees in our North Austin office on Clayton Lane will return to office on Monday, March 31," a spokesperson for the department said in an email. "Employees in our downtown office will return to office on Monday, April 14."

Texas Department of Insurance

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Railroad Commission of Texas

A representative with the Railroad Commission said, "We have not sent anything to employees. The agency currently has a telework program." This matches a statement provided to Nexstar in our initial reporting.

Public Utility Commission of Texas

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Texas Medical Board

Spencer Miller-Payne, the communications officer for the Texas Medical Board, told Nexstar on Wednesday, "at this time, we do not have any updates on potential return-to-work procedures and/or timelines."

In our initial reporting, an employee anonymously shared an internal email from executive director Brint Carlton. The email reads, "We know some of you have heard from other agencies that changes to telework policies are coming. We have heard this as well, but have not yet received official guidance. As of today, there are no changes at TMB. We will update you when we have more information."

The email continues, "In the meantime, we all might want to think through different scenarios, needs, or plans if changes are made. We understand such changes will be challenging for some staff. We will do our best to provide as much support as we can."

Health and Human Services Commission

"HHSC is implementing return-to-work in our offices and leased spaces by March 31," HHS Press Officer Jennifer Ruffcorn told Nexstar Texas.

Department of State Health Services

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) didn't respond to our inquiry for this story, but in our previous reporting, a representative with DSHS forwarded a bulletin from Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford. The update confirmed the agency had felt pressure to make telework employees return to the office.

"However, we also know that things like space constraints need to be taken into consideration. So in the coming days and weeks, we will need to determine what a practical DSHS return-to-office plan might look like," Shuford wrote earlier this month. "In the meantime, I ask you to please keep doing the excellent work you're doing."

Texas Department of Agriculture

"Since TDA’s previous telework authorization was very limited in scope and our return-to-work order has mostly been implemented, there will be no noticeable change in our workforce presence in Austin in the coming days or beyond," Maddison Jaureguito, the department's director of communications, wrote to Nexstar.

Teacher Retirement System of Texas

"Certain staff groups within TRS are planning to return to the office in person full time as of Monday, March 31," Media Relations Program Manager Rob Maxwell wrote. "As TRS thoughtfully revisits its remote work policies for the entire agency over the next few months, we are maintaining our focus on the most effective and efficient ways to meet the needs of our members statewide. We will continue to keep our employees informed."

Texas Division of Emergency Management

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Texas A&M Forest Service

"Texas A&M Forest Service employees maintain an on-site operational presence due to the nature of our emergency response mission," a representative with the agency said. "We do not have a remote work policy."

Texas Water Development Board

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Texas Commission on Environment Quality

Waiting to hear back from the agency for this story.

In our previous reporting, an employee with the agency anonymously shared an email that was sent to TCEQ workers from executive director Kelly Keel. The email said, "TCEQ will transition to a return to office posture over the next several months."

Texas Department of Transportation

"TxDOT is increasing in-office work starting Monday, March 31," Adam Hammons, media relations director with the department, said.

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles

Waiting to hear back from the agency for this story.

In our previous reporting, a spokesperson with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed they are working to return staff to the office after a "verbal notification from the Office of the Governor."

Executive Director Daniel Avitia told employees in an email earlier this month, "I realize we are temporarily restricted in the space available at regional offices, and both space and parking availability at the Austin headquarters, with construction of new facilities underway. Because of these restrictions and operational considerations, we plan to be strategic with how we return to our available office environments. We do plan to continue leveraging telework options in some form and will be reviewing other flexible schedule options where appropriate."

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Waiting to hear back from the agency for this story.

In our previous reporting, a spokesperson for the agency said, "TDCJ is reviewing its remote work policy. It is worth noting, however, because of the nature of our work (correctional officers, support staff for the units), the majority of TDCJ's workforce does not work remotely."

Texas Education Agency

Waiting to hear back from the agency.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

A spokesperson for the agency said, "We are currently reviewing and revising our telework plan and communicating changes with TPWD employees."