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FW: Agenda Item 3.2 - Labor Negotiations Update - Council Meeting May 20, 2025 - Public Comment FromCity Clerk <[email protected]>
Date Mon 5/19/2025 3:19 PM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Glum, Anthony <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2025 2:24 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Agenda Item 3.2 - Labor Negotiations Update - Council Meeting May 20, 2025 - Public Comment Hello, I want to provide written public comment on Council Meeting May 20th, 2025, Agenda Item 3.2, LaborNegotiations Update. This about my concerns about San Jose's new policy change around work from home hybridschedules. My reason for this email and concern over the recent announcement from the Office of Employee Relationsregarding the change to the City’s work from home policy, is that I live 55 miles away in Watsonville, CA andcommute 3 days a week to the library, despite the commute being considerably long which during peak traffic hourscan total to about 1.5-2 hours each way. The current 3/2 schedule has given me 2 days I can work from home, savemoney, time, gas and be closer to my home, friends, and family. These days are very important for me to have formy mental health and work life balance. In no way, does my work quality or output diminish when I work from home.In fact, I will argue that giving me the freedom to have my days to work from home has caused me to go above andbeyond in various aspects as I now can monitor emails and workflows at any time and am more willing and flexibleto complete work outside of standard operating hours. I am outraged and disheartened by the City of San Jose's policy change. I feel it is inconsiderate to an employeelike me who rely on this 3/2 hybrid schedule to have a healthy work life balance. Regardless of my long commute ornot, the 3/2 hybrid schedule is proven to be beneficial to both the employers and the employees, with the largestwork from home study conducted recently by Stanford showing that 3/2 hybrid schedules are a win-win foremployers and employees (study linked below). Many other studies also highlight the benefits of the 3/2 hybridschedules, which I have linked some examples below. Stanford Article: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/06/hybrid-work-is-a-win-win-win-for-companies-workersCNBC Article: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/31/cebr-study-finds-remote-workers-get-105-hours-more-leisure-time-a-year.htmlNational Library of Medicine Article: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10612377/Farmingdale-Observer: https://farmingdale-observer.com/2025/05/16/scientists-have-been-studying-remote-work-for-four-years-and-have-reached-a-very-clear-conclusion-working-from-home-makes-us-happier/ The data speaks volume to the benefits of hybrid schedules for our workers (see articles linked above). Some ofthese benefits are increasing staff members satisfaction around their work life balance, avoiding staff burnout,mental health issues along with even physical health issues caused by increased stress. Also, there are concernsfrom staff members voiced to me around safety downtown with increased hours on site. This is also a pay cut tomany individuals as they will need to spend more on gas and car maintenance. Additionally, the California State Policy is not as egregious as the SJ city policy allowing an exception for individuals who were hired before March 3rd, 2025 who live more than 50 miles away (link to the policy here and screenshot).Since the argument is that San Jose is just following what other state and local municipalities are doing, we shouldalso follow the rules for exceptions as well. California State Policy Return to Work:2025-Statewide-Telework-Guidance.pdf - CalHR - CA.gov 5/19/25, 4:33 PM Mail - Agendadesk - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADUxOWI4ZjE3LTRkNDEtNGUzMS04MjAwLTIzNzdiYTdkMjc5NAAQA… 1/2 Please do not turn a blind eye to the data now. This policy is completely hypocritical to the entire policy set forth in San Jose’s city original flexible workplace agreement policy. Please work with staff members to reach a solution that allows everyone to be satisfied and treat this policy implementation on a case-by-case basis.
Thank you
Anthony Glum | Senior Financial Analyst
City of San José
San Jose Public Library System - Library FBS
Phone: /
[email protected]
5/19/25, 4:33 PM Mail - Agendadesk - Outlook
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FW: Agenda Item 3.2 - Labor Negotiations Update - Council Meeting May 20, 2025 - Public Commen From City Clerk <[email protected]>
Date Mon 5/19/2025 5:05 PM
To Agendadesk <[email protected]>
From: Anthony Glum < >
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2025 4:35 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: Agenda Item 3.2 - Labor Negotiations Update - Council Meeting May 20, 2025 - Public Commen
You don't often get email from . Learn why this is important Hello, I want to email you about my concerns about San Jose's new policy change around work from home hybrid schedules.
My reason for this email and concern over the recent announcement from the Office of Employee Relations regarding the change to the City’s work from home policy, is that I live 55 miles away in Watsonville, CA and commute 3 days a week to the library, despite the commute being considerably long which during peak traffic hours can total to about 1.5-2 hours each way.
The current 3/2 schedule has given me 2 days I can work from home, save money, time, gas and be closer to my home, friends, and family. These days are very important for me to have for my mental health and work life balance. In no way, does my work quality or output diminish when I work from home. In fact, I will argue that giving me the freedom to have my days to work from home has caused me to go above and beyond in various aspects as I now can monitor emails and workflows at any time and am more willing and flexible to complete work outside of standard operating hours.
I am outraged and disheartened by the City of San Jose's policy change. I feel it is inconsiderate to an employee like me who rely on this 3/2 hybrid schedule to have a healthy work life balance. Regardless of my long commute or not, the 3/2 hybrid schedule is proven to be beneficial to both the employers and the employees, with the largest work from home study conducted recently by Stanford proving that 3/2 hybrid schedules are a win-win for employers and employees (study linked below).
Stanford Article: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/06/hybrid-work-is-a-win-win-win-for-companies-workers CNBC Article: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/31/cebr-study-finds-remote-workers-get-105-hours-more-leisure-time-a- year.html
National Library of Medicine Article https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10612377/ Farmingdale Observer Article: https://farmingdale-observer.com/2025/05/16/scientists-have-been-studying-remote-work-for- four-years-and-have-reached-a-very-clear-conclusion-working-from-home-makes-us-happier/
This hybrid schedule benefits the city by increasing staff members satisfaction around their work life balance, avoiding staff burnout, mental health issues along with even physical health issues caused by increased stress. Also, there are concerns from staff members voiced to me around safety downtown with increased hours on site. This is also a pay cut to many individuals as they will need to spend more on gas and car maintenance.
Additionally, the California State Policy is not as egregious as the SJ city policy allowing an exception for individuals who were hired before March 3rd, 2025 who live more than 50 miles away (link to the policy here and screenshot). Since the argument is 5/19/25, 6:05 PM Mail - Agendadesk - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADUxOWI4ZjE3LTRkNDEtNGUzMS04MjAwLTIzNzdiYTdkMjc5NAAQA… 1/2
This message is from outside the City email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. that San Jose is just following what other state and local municipalities are doing, we should also follow the rules for exceptions as well.
California State Policy Return to Work:
2025-Statewide-Telework-Guidance.pdf - CalHR - CA.gov
Please do not turn a blind eye to the data now. This policy is completely hypocritical to the entire policy set forth in San Jose’s city original flexible workplace agreement policy. Please work with staff members to reach a solution that allows everyone to be satisfied and treat this policy implementation on a case-by-case basis.
Thank you
5/19/25, 6:05 PM Mail - Agendadesk - Outlook
https://outlook.office365.com/mail/[email protected]/inbox/id/AAQkADUxOWI4ZjE3LTRkNDEtNGUzMS04MjAwLTIzNzdiYTdkMjc5NAAQA… 2/2