Allowing federal employees to work from home can deepen government agencies’ understanding of communities’ needs and create economic opportunities for local residents.
In a commentary in the Daily Yonder, Christopher Chavis argues that remote work, contrary to the beliefs of some political leaders, makes for a stronger, more knowledgeable, and more skillful federal workforce and benefits rural communities.
In Chavis’ view, remote work decentralizes power and empowers rural communities by opening up federal roles to more people. “Remote work made it possible for individuals in rural areas to take on roles previously limited to urban centers, thus giving them greater influence within the federal bureaucracy.”
Remote work and technology have, says Chavis, also boosted collaboration. “A person in Claremont, New Hampshire, can work in real-time with someone in Claremont, California. This means that people from both urban and rural communities can collaborate seamlessly, bringing diverse perspectives to the table.”
These benefits come in addition to more tangible effects such as higher incomes and access to job opportunities for young people who want to stay in their rural communities.
Most importantly, Chavis writes that remote work allows federal workers to remain in touch with their communities and ensure fairness when it comes to grant reviews and other bureaucratic processes.
FULL STORY: Commentary: Remote Work Empowers Rural Workforce and Strengthens Federal Government
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North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA)
Economic & Planning Systems, Inc.
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research