McMaster signs executive order to change remote work policy for SC state employees

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has signed an executive order that would change remote work policies for state employees.

The governor’s office said the order filed Thursday directs the South Carolina Division of State Human Resources “to implement updated and revised telecommuting and remote work policies for state employees in order to provide clarity, consistency, and accountability across state government.”

“It’s important that we have clear, consistent, and accountable policies on telecommuting and remote work for state employees across the board,” McMaster said in a statement. “The law requires these policies be designed to achieve cost savings and greater efficiencies in the operation of state government. They are not designed to suit a desired lifestyle or a personal preference.”

The executive order includes the following changes:

• State agencies must have a telecommuting policy and plan approved before allowing any employee to work remotely.
• Once a plan is approved, remote work can only be allowed by an agency’s director.
• The order would also allow the South Carolina Division of State Human Resources to revoke remote work for any agency found to be out of compliance with their approved plan.
• Agencies can also revoke remote work for an employee at any time, with the governor’s office saying it does not fall under the South Carolina Employee Grievance Procedure Act.
• Agency directors and executive staff are not allowed to work remotely. The governor’s office says this includes deputy directors, division directors, and managers or supervisors who report directly to the agency director or someone who reports directly to the agency director.
• Employees with a recent unsatisfactory performance review or who have faced disciplinary action are not allowed to telecommute.
• Remote work is limited to a maximum of two days per week, with it being prohibited on the following consecutive days: Monday and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, or Friday followed by the next Monday.

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