We, the undersigned, are demanding Governor Murphy order the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) plan and put in place a remote work model to take effect immediately.

Remote work will not only benefit DCF / DCPP employees but will be a major cost savings for the taxpayers of New Jersey! 

Over the past 20 months (since March 2020), the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP) has been working remotely due to the COVID pandemic. Granted, this was not expected, however, these past 20 months have proven a lot about DCPP and their employees.  Ensuring the safety of the abused and neglected children of New Jersey never stopped even when switching to 100% remote work due to a dangerous pandemic.

Over the Summer of 2021, the DCF Commissioner attended the staff meetings of all of the DCPP local offices. The Commissioner expressed her desire for a remote work schedule for DCPP staff post-pandemic. The Commissioner highlighted that a telework schedule would be beneficial for the safety of staff during times such as the pandemic but also fiscally beneficial for the State of New Jersey and their taxpayers post-pandemic. However, for some reason or another, this plan does not appear to be on the table based on statements made by the Commissioner during her weekly address to all DCPP staff on November 12, 2021 regardless of all the positives that it would bring for the State of New Jersey and the DCPP employees. The Commissioner stated that the Governor would need to implement telework and preparing a hybrid/remote work plan for DCPP was no longer on the agenda.

Though at times, child protection, can be rewarding it can also be daunting, tireless, traumatic and stressful. The State puts so much emphasis on self-care and taking proper measures to manage a DCPP employee’s mental health, however, DCPP employees are not being heard when it comes to how the State can help manage and maintain a mentally healthy and happy employee by allowing remote work.

This petition is for the Governor to approve telework for DCF / DCPP employees both currently and post pandemic for the following reasons:

- Work Is Accomplished Whether Remote or In Office: DCF / DCPP employees have proven over the past 20 months, that the work gets accomplished as evident by hitting key benchmarks within the Federal Mandates of the Modified Settlement Agreement that is in place. Protecting children has never stopped being the #1 priority throughout the past 20 months.   

- Huge Cost Savings for the State of New Jersey: If remote work is approved, then the State footprint of DCF / DCPP offices can be immediately significantly reduced. This would significantly reduce the rent and operation costs for the State offices that the New Jersey taxpayers currently pay for. One smaller office with hoteling stations would be needed for each county/area to share which would house things such as copiers/printers, access to mail, state cars, a few visiting rooms for parent/child supervised visitation and a room for meetings, as needed. Presumably, this would mean at a minimum one office per county could be closed. This will allow DCF / DCPP staff to stop by an office if they need to make copies or print work related documents, mail work related mail out or complete a task that may not be accessible at their home. In offices where the State currently pays for parking spots for staff, this cost to the State would be eliminated, or at a minimum, drastically reduced.

- Better Work/Life Balance: Many DCF / DCPP employees have reported that working remotely has allowed a better work/family balance. For example, by working from home, commute times were reduced leaving more time for family life events, such as being able to eat dinner as a family or making it to their child’s sports games.  Not to mention saving employees gas money during a time where gas prices are rising.  

- Staff Shortage: Many DCF / DCPP employees have expressed that they plan on retiring early or quitting rather then returning back to the office full time which will cause staffing issues and work being pushed on the remaining staff. This to go along with the nationwide labor shortage.

- Less Stress & More Productive Workforce: Many DCF / DCPP employees have also reported feeling less stressed and more productive working from home as there is less distraction then working in an office setting filled with the “hustle and bustle” of other employees.

- Prepared for Future: By implementing a remote work policy, the State will have a plan in place in the event that COVID numbers rise or any future pandemics that may occur which will allow for the work to continue seamlessly. Working from home is also the safest option for staff as many of the State offices do not have updated air filtration systems or even windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air circulation.

- Cost Savings – Reduce COVID testing: Currently, working remote will save the New Jersey taxpayers in having to pay for weekly COVID testing for unvaccinated employees.  

- Staff Morale: It is very apparent to anyone listening that DCF / DCPP staff morale is at an all time low since being informed about the return to offices full time. It has been suggested that staff do not bring in personal items such as pictures so that workspaces can easily be cleaned by the cleaning staff. Staff was informed that they will need to remain in their cubicles at their own desks and should not be fraternizing with other staff for any reason. Staff are being given headphones and directed to continue using Zoom/Teams with fellow employees from their desks even when in the same room. Staff cannot take their lunch in the lunchroom to avoid having too many people in a room at once and to maintain the 6 feet social distancing. Many desks/cubicles are not 6 feet apart. Staff are being offered staggered work schedules to avoid things like crowding the elevator when arriving and leaving work for the day. This will only assist in reducing numbers in the office if a significant number of staff choose to work a staggered schedule. Staff will have to wear their masks all day long for 8 hours plus (when they would not have to if working from home). All of these things listed could be avoided by allowing the staff to continue to work remotely.  This is not a good work environment for anyone to have to work in all day long, five days a week. This will surely hurt morale and the mental health of many staff and make coming to work daily very unpleasant.

- This is nothing new: Many other jurisdictions in the United States have hybrid / remote work models for their Child Protection agencies. While this may have been new to New Jersey in March 2020, this has been the “new norm” in many other states for well over a decade. DCF / DCPP and the State of New Jersey should and must be progressive and join the 21st Century with remote work models for DCF / DCPP and its staff.

Please spread the word and have family, friends, DCF/ DCPP workers, and New Jersey taxpayers sign this petition. We are all in this together and together we can create change!