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March 12, 2020
Work-related travel restriction
In light of concerns around COVID-19, out-of-state business travel for state employees is now restricted. Out-of-state business travel will not be approved for MNIT employees, unless the employee receives an exception by Commissioner Tomes and the commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB). Exceptions will be considered if travel is required for the enforcement of Minnesota law; to meet the state’s contractual or other legal obligations; or for the protection of public health, welfare, and/or safety.
Previously planned or previously approved travel should be cancelled, unless it is exempted. If you had previously planned to attend a conference or event out of state, speak with your supervisor, manager, or MNIT Human Resources. Many events across the country are being cancelled in response to COVID-19.
For additional information about travel as it relates to COVID-19, check out the CDC travel guidance webpage.
Ad hoc telework
The state of Minnesota must ensure delivery of services even during times of adverse conditions caused by natural or human-made emergencies. Recognizing the global nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, agencies have been authorized to consider approving employees to telework on an ad hoc, short-term basis as an alternative to working in the office. Ad hoc telework is different from normal telework arrangements in that employees may not have formal telework agreements in place and do not regularly telework.
Considerations for ad hoc telework
- An employee is ill with cold or flu-like symptoms but is well enough to work
- An employee has recently returned from a high-risk location, as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and must be quarantined
- An employee is staying home because they have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19
- An employee has a confirmed case of COVID-19 but is well enough to work
- An employee can otherwise perform their work as well or better by working remotely and has the access, tools, and equipment to be successful and responsive to business needs
- Requests of these types will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and approved in accordance with the approval process below
In addition, those employees at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, such as individuals with serious chronic medical conditions, should contact Sarah Herder Lewis, MNIT's Director of Equal Opportunity, Diversity, & Inclusion, at ADA.MNIT@state.mn.us or 651-556-8025 to discuss their individual situations and assess work options.
Staff and their supervisors and managers should discuss the potential for ad hoc telework at this time and increased telework in the future. This consideration must be based on the unique needs of relevant IT and business units. Staff and supervisors should discuss how and whether tasks and duties can reasonably be carried out at another location and whether appropriate tools are in place to ensure access to necessary applications and files.
Ad hoc telework approval and processes
Based on recommendations from your manager and supervisor, all requests for ad hoc telework must be ultimately approved by:
Employees approved to perform ad hoc telework should review the HR/LR Policy #1422 Telework Policy, as many of the items in the policy are applicable to ad hoc telework. Formal telework agreements, however, are not necessary for ad hoc telework. Agency policies regarding confidential and private data, employee performance, work schedules, and other policies continue to apply to ad hoc teleworkers. If ad hoc telework is approved, employees should only telework during normal work hours and standard policies remain in place for overtime work.
Visit the Be Ready Minnesota website for state agency employee information
MMB is updating information for state employees around COVID-19 on the Be Ready Minnesota website. This website is designed to provide general information for state agency employees to help you prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies.
Please use this site as an additional resource for work-related information about COVID-19. MMB will be updating the Frequently Asked Questions section of this web page as more information around work-related issues related to COVID-19 becomes available.
Additional resources
Minnesota IT Services values your health and the health of your loved ones. The state of Minnesota is monitoring the situation carefully, and we will adjust operations as needed to protect the interests of our workforce, as well as the people of Minnesota.
Thank you for your cooperation, and for all you do to support One Minnesota.
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