Last day to take the OCEA Telecommuting and Flexible Schedule Survey
Dear OCEA member,
The deadline to take the OCEA Telecommuting and Flexible Schedule Survey has been extended through today at midnight. Your input is needed to identify the specific life and work challenges you and your family face during this unprecedented pandemic. Click here to complete this short survey.
Many of you are doing your best to cope with the tentative reopening of schools, the unfamiliar world of distance learning, limited or non-existent childcare options, and scores of other challenges unique to your life circumstances. These developments, along with the surge of COVID-19 infections across Orange and neighboring counties, mean workers need more flexibility now.
As essential workers, you continue to serve our community with courage and professionalism. From the beginning OCEA, your union, has consistently fought for and demanded safety, security and stability: Working conditions that prioritize SAFETY, whether at home or at work, for you and your co-workers; Job SECURITY so you can provide the support and care for your family demanded by this public health and economic crisis; STABILITY in your everyday life, so you can focus on your critical role ensuring that Orange County residents have access to the County and Court services they expect and deserve.
Despite your steadfast commitment, management has not done enough to provide many of you with adequate safety, security and stability. What we have seen is a dramatic inconsistency between departments, and even specific work locations within departments, when it comes to the requirements for telecommuting and flexible work schedules.
As essential workers, you continue to serve our community with courage and professionalism. From the beginning OCEA, your union, has consistently fought for and demanded safety, security and stability: Working conditions that prioritize SAFETY, whether at home or at work, for you and your co-workers; Job SECURITY so you can provide the support and care for your family demanded by this public health and economic crisis; STABILITY in your everyday life, so you can focus on your critical role ensuring that Orange County residents have access to the County and Court services they expect and deserve.
Despite your steadfast commitment, management has not done enough to provide many of you with adequate safety, security and stability. What we have seen is a dramatic inconsistency between departments, and even specific work locations within departments, when it comes to the requirements for telecommuting and flexible work schedules.
OCEA’s most recent safety survey found that 65% of workers do not feel safe at work. Exposing workers to an unsafe work environment exacerbates the impact of the pandemic and contradicts all widely-accepted public health directives. Our survey also found that 80% of OCEA workers can perform some or all of their duties remotely.
I want to thank all of you who have completed the Telecommuting and Flexible Schedule Survey. Your responses will be used to develop specific demands OCEA will make to compel the County and Court managers to implement consistent telecommuting and flexible work schedule parameters, and provide you with the SAFETY, SECURITY and STABILITY you need NOW.
In Solidarity,
Charles Barfield
OCEA General Manager
Publication Date: August 18, 2020
