State government workers living outside Vermont must also follow return

With few exceptions, state government employees living outside Vermont must return to the office three days a week by July 1 at the latest. If they refuse or are unable to follow the order, state leaders are directed to start hiring replacements.

Administration Secretary Sarah Clark announced the policy Friday afternoon.

“Our approach to out-of-state employees is grounded in the principle of treating all employees equally,” Clark wrote in an email to state workers.

The guidance is the latest in Gov. Phil Scott’s hybrid return-to-office plan for state workers, which is slated to begin Dec. 1. Scott and his team have said the mandate is designed to improve collaboration and camaraderie lost to teleworking and improve customer service for Vermonters.

As part of the return-to-office pr