DOR Return-to-Office (RTO) Meet & Confer Update
Member Update – July 22, 2026
AFSCME met with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) today. Below are the latest updates from your Meet & Confer Team.
General Questions
The Department declined to provide several key pieces of information requested by AFSCME, including:
The number of BU 19 employees hired on or before March 1, 2020, and copies of their duty statements.
The number of BU 19 employees hired on or before March 1, 2020, who reside more than 50 miles from their assigned office.
Copies of vacancy advertisements, job announcements, and related recruitment information.
Telework, Scheduling & Hybrid Assignments
Five (5) counselors were hired under the Remote Service Unit, and AFSCME has received their names.
The Department acknowledged that additional counselors are working remotely and will identify those employees for AFSCME.
The Department provided the following definitions:
Remote
Employees hired into remote counselor positions report to an assigned office but may be assigned to support another unit remotely.
Hybrid
Any employee with one (1) or more approved telework days is considered to work under a hybrid model.
Telework Scheduling
Telework agreements will be processed as they are received.
If multiple employees request the same telework day, State service seniority will be used to determine approval.
Working Conditions
According to the Department:
All 77 offices comply with HIPAA requirements.
AFSCME provided the Department with a list of 40 offices that may have HIPAA compliance concerns.
All 77 offices have sufficient workspace for employees.
AFSCME provided documentation identifying 10 offices that have reported inadequate workspace.
AFSCME also informed the Department that:
Many offices do not have enough quiet or confidential rooms available to meet privately with consumers.
Employees Living More Than 50 Miles Away
Employees who reside more than 50 miles from their assigned office fall under the Governor's "case-by-case" exception and may request more than one (1) telework day each week.
If you experience problems with your request, follow your chain of command.
Alternate Work Schedules (AWS)
The Department agreed that it will follow both the Governor's Executive Order and the BU 19 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Under the BU 19 MOU, represented employees have the right to request:
A 9/80 Alternate Work Schedule
A 4/10 Alternate Work Schedule
A telework day
If you receive a blanket denial without an individualized review, AFSCME believes that may constitute an unreasonable denial under the MOU.
Notify your Occupational Chair immediately.
Telework Agreement (STD 200)
The Department agreed to:
Accept all STD 200 Telework Agreements regardless of how they were submitted.
Beginning August 1, 2026:
All STD 200 forms will be submitted through the online process.
Managers will be instructed to approve telework agreements and allow employees to telework in accordance with the Department's process.
If you need assistance submitting your online STD 200, contact your manager.
What's Next?
Your Meet & Confer Team will:
Review all information provided by the Department on July 24, 2026.
Request a fourth Meet & Confer meeting after completing its review.
Member Action Items
Submit your online STD 200 before August 1, 2026.
If your Alternate Work Schedule or telework request is denied, contact your Occupational Chair immediately.
Members-Only Emergency Town Hall
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Register in advance:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ohd7TD-lSzKvjh-g1cJrnQ
MEMBER NOTICE
This information is intended for AFSCME Local 2620 members only. Please do not distribute or share this update outside of our membership.
For questions or assistance, contact me.
In Unity,
Maria Rodriguez
Vocational Rehabilitation Occupational Chair
AFSCME Local 2620