On Friday, GOP lawmakers called for layoffs at Wisconsin agencies and criticized remote work policies when an audit revealed that state employees were spending significantly more time working from home than in their offices, according to the Wisconsin State Journal; however, most agencies surveyed said that remote work had increased their efficiency.
Twenty-six of the 39 agencies in Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ administration reviewed by auditors allowed employees to work remotely up to five days per week. Key card data reviewed by auditors also suggested some state employees may be working in person less often than their remote work agreements stipulate. Over 3,000 state employees at four major headquarters buildings in Madison used their key cards to access the buildings an average of 1.3 times per week in the first six months of 2023. Less than one-third of work stations were in use at the UW System and the offices of 15 state agencies the Legislative Audit Bureau repeatedly visited in July and August.
Republican Sen. Eric Wimberger, co-chair of the Legislature’s audit committee, said that since remote work makes agencies more efficient, he believes staff cuts are justified. Auditors also proposed renting fewer staff office spaces if employees are not required to return to in-person work.
