JFS employee remote work plan riles county Commissioner David Moore

Lorain County Commissioner David Moore expressed concern Wednesday to his fellow commissioners about a change in rules at Lorain County Job and Family Services that would allow employees to work remotely from home. Moore told his fellow commissioners that he was not in favor the decision and never would have signed off on it had he learned about the change prior to Tuesday night. "I had to find out about it yesterday," he said Wednesday. "Key performance indicators" Moore said he has seen show workers are more productive when working from an office, and claimed any decision made to allow remote work was "made outside this public hearing room." His fellow commissioners, Michelle Hung and Matt Lundy, told Moore that he was present when the recommendation was made. Moore said that he was present when commissioners discussed the matter with former Interim County Administrator Robert Weber, Hung said. Lundy confirmed her account. Lundy later said he didn't recall any complaints or concerns about JFS employees working from home in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic changed how many office workers did their jobs. JFS supervisors can track when and how much employees are working whether in the office or at home, he said, adding that he hadn't seen any of the work or performance data Moore referenced. An email from Lorain County Job a Family Services Director Barbara Tamas to JFS employees sent on Oct. 26 and provided to The Chronicle states that JFS will be implementing remote work starting Monday, Nov. 1. Two groups were identified and will be permitted to work remotely for one week at a time on agency-issued laptop computers. Employees wishing to work remotely must sign forms and turn them into their supervisors. "Work schedules will remain the same for remote work as you work when at the agency," according to Tamas' email, though overtime work must be done in-office. The forms were also reviewed by JFS union representatives "without objection," according to Tamas' email. A message seeking comment on the content of the email and the union's stance on the matter was left Wednesday for Andrea Thomas, a United Auto Workers Local 2192 representative and union chairperson for JFS workers. Later on Wednesday, Moore said he didn't recall "at all" discussing JFS employees moving to remote work. "I don't remember (Hung and Lundy) bringing it up," he said. "I'm really against remote work. JFS services the most people in need in our county and when (former County Administrator) Tom Williams implemented key performance indicators, the numbers just went up when we started monitoring people's work ... I disagree they're more efficient when they're working from home." The Chronicle also asked Moore to provide some of those key performance indicators, and he said he would though he didn't immediately have them at his disposal Wednesday night. Hung said Wednesday that when interviewing for a new JFS director, and before picking Tamas to return to her former post, "it became apparent that the hybrid work schedule was a topic that we would be revisiting soon." "I believe it is important for our staff at JFS to have a leader in place that can clearly understand their needs, we have that with Barbara Tamas," she said in a statement she emailed to The Chronicle. "Commissioner Lundy and I interviewed Barbara Tamas, Commissioner Moore declined to interview Ms. Tamas." "I want our employees to be happy and feeling as though there is a balance, as our employees strive daily to support, encourage, and assist families on their journey to self-sufficiency," Hung wrote. "The topic was revisited, and the majority of the board was in support of a hybrid work from home/on-site work schedule. I am confident our JFS Director will evaluate other hybrid work schedules implemented by JFS agencies throughout the State of Ohio and roll out a good plan for our employees to serve Lorain County families." 'Personnel matters' Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Dan Petticord, the board's legal counsel, told the board Wednesday that he recalled the discussion about hybrid work that was had with Weber. He also recommended any further discussion about those matters continue in a closed executive session. "I do think that talking about work rules is absolutely appropriate as part of executive session," Petticord told the board. That statement raised a concern, as what can and cannot be discussed in executive session is set forth in Ohio's Sunshine Laws. Tim Smith, an attorney, retired Kent State University journalism professor and journalist with expertise in public records and Sunshine Law, said "work rules" do not fall under the exemptions allowable for discussion in executive session. Personnel matters related to contract or union negotiations are allowed behind closed doors, but any decisions must be voted upon in public, he said. Petticord said later on Wednesday he simply misspoke, and meant "personnel" when he said "work" rules. Commissioners will meet at 9:30 a.m. today for their second day of 2022 budget hearings. Lorain County's Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Probate courts and the Lorain County Coroner's Office are on today's agenda. A third day of budget hearings will take place Nov. 4. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com. Follow him at @daveobrienCT on Twitter.