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Dare County Board of Commissioners took the first step in offering flexible work schedules and teleworking to county employees.

Commissioners adopted policy guidelines and an employee flexible work/telework agreement.

County manager Robert L. Outten said the policies and agreement are not etched in stone. If changes are needed once the policies are implemented, the administration will return to the commissioners.

About 20% to 25% of employees – or between 100 and 150 employees – are eligible to participate. The policy document spells out three types of flexible work options:

Flextime provides flexibility in scheduled start and stop times. Employees may start early and leave earlier or start later and end later than the 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. standard work days in county offices. Hours are limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Compressed work week allows fulltime employees to work 37.5 or 40 hours in fewer than five full days.

Teleworking is working at home. It “does not change the basic terms and conditions of employment with the County, and employees are subject to the same policies and procedures that apply when working at a County facility.”
County finance director vouched for the teleworking program, which was part of the finance department’s adjustment to COVID.  He told the commissioners that employees who teleworked were more productive.

The policy states “teleworking and flexible work arrangements are not appropriate for all employees or positions and are not a universal employee benefit but a privilege.”

Telework is available for two days per week. A teleworking employee must report to the office three days a week. Employees must fill out a home safety self-certification checklist for telework.

The policy and agreement are part of the Dare County Board of Commissioners agenda package for the July 18, 2022 meeting under Item 7. The agenda package is posted online in the Board of Commissioners section.

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