Catalonian Government Upholds Telework Ban for High-Level Officials Amid Protest
Over 200 senior officials challenge the Generalitat's decision to rescind teleworking privileges as government maintains stance on in-person work policies.
The Catalan government has decided to maintain its policy of revoking telework arrangements for senior officials, despite protests from more than 200 high-level staff members of the Generalitat.
These officials, primarily occupying positions such as subdirectory general or similar roles, have signed a manifesto urging the government to reconsider its stance.
The manifesto was presented to the govern, expressing concerns that the decision lacks a basis in evidence or data and arguing that mandating physical presence reflects an outdated 19th-century model.
The policy change impacts approximately 100 senior officials who were previously authorized to telecommute, following a telework decree issued in 2020 under former President Quim Torra, which permitted administrative personnel to work remotely two days a week.
Despite opposition, the department led by Albert Dalmau plans to proceed with the policy, ensuring affected officials receive personalized notifications ahead of the definitive cessation of the telework opportunities on January 29.
In their formal statement, the officials noted that many supervisory and interlocutory duties could continue to be effectively managed through digital means, whether in a hybrid or fully remote model.
The government's instruction justifies the revocation by asserting that telework is 'difficult to reconcile' with the inherent responsibilities of these positions, emphasizing their strategic importance and direct influence on public policy.
The officials have warned that the move could harm talent acquisition within the public sector, as it negates the efficiency gains from goal-oriented work and reduces the potential benefits of remote work for those facing significant commutes.
Additionally, it might disproportionately affect women seeking high-responsibility roles by complicating work-life balance.
The dissenting officials argue that the method used to effect the policy change shows signs of 'nullity' since the instruction attempts to amend the teleworking decree.
However, the government's legal advisors have affirmed the legality of this approach, considering it part of broader administrative reforms that raise the status of subdirectors to senior positions, alongside anticipated beneficial changes in their roles.
The government's position is that enabling senior officials to lead teams in-person and engage directly with community stakeholders is crucial for 'prestiging the professional public administration.' It also reaffirmed the objective of the administration under President Salvador Illa to operate at full capacity.
As disagreements persist between the senior officials and the government, the signatories of the manifesto stress that the sweeping termination of telework permissions does not adhere to the 2020 decree, which mandates a hearing with affected individuals before revoking annual telework authorizations.
They argue that failing to do so could result in procedural unfairness.
The decision has also instilled a sense of underappreciation among public servants amid broader efforts in governmental reform.
These officials, primarily occupying positions such as subdirectory general or similar roles, have signed a manifesto urging the government to reconsider its stance.
The manifesto was presented to the govern, expressing concerns that the decision lacks a basis in evidence or data and arguing that mandating physical presence reflects an outdated 19th-century model.
The policy change impacts approximately 100 senior officials who were previously authorized to telecommute, following a telework decree issued in 2020 under former President Quim Torra, which permitted administrative personnel to work remotely two days a week.
Despite opposition, the department led by Albert Dalmau plans to proceed with the policy, ensuring affected officials receive personalized notifications ahead of the definitive cessation of the telework opportunities on January 29.
In their formal statement, the officials noted that many supervisory and interlocutory duties could continue to be effectively managed through digital means, whether in a hybrid or fully remote model.
The government's instruction justifies the revocation by asserting that telework is 'difficult to reconcile' with the inherent responsibilities of these positions, emphasizing their strategic importance and direct influence on public policy.
The officials have warned that the move could harm talent acquisition within the public sector, as it negates the efficiency gains from goal-oriented work and reduces the potential benefits of remote work for those facing significant commutes.
Additionally, it might disproportionately affect women seeking high-responsibility roles by complicating work-life balance.
The dissenting officials argue that the method used to effect the policy change shows signs of 'nullity' since the instruction attempts to amend the teleworking decree.
However, the government's legal advisors have affirmed the legality of this approach, considering it part of broader administrative reforms that raise the status of subdirectors to senior positions, alongside anticipated beneficial changes in their roles.
The government's position is that enabling senior officials to lead teams in-person and engage directly with community stakeholders is crucial for 'prestiging the professional public administration.' It also reaffirmed the objective of the administration under President Salvador Illa to operate at full capacity.
As disagreements persist between the senior officials and the government, the signatories of the manifesto stress that the sweeping termination of telework permissions does not adhere to the 2020 decree, which mandates a hearing with affected individuals before revoking annual telework authorizations.
They argue that failing to do so could result in procedural unfairness.
The decision has also instilled a sense of underappreciation among public servants amid broader efforts in governmental reform.
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