North Dakota’s Health and Human Services (HHS) department will implement a gradual return-to-office plan for employees who have been working remotely since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to HHS Commissioner Pat Traynor, the transition will begin with staff members residing in the Bismarck-Mandan area and will continue through 2026 and beyond. An email dated March 5, 2024, outlined the details of this “phased return-to-office” strategy.
Traynor emphasized that the move aims to foster stronger coworker connections and enhance the overall work culture within the department. “We want people shining at their highest level, and we think that takes face-to-face togetherness and presence beyond a screen,” he stated in an interview on March 10. The transition comes as COVID-19 case numbers and related deaths in the United States have significantly decreased, largely due to improved vaccines and treatments.
HHS has employed over 2,800 staff members across North Dakota, with Traynor estimating that less than 1,000 are currently working remotely. The department is actively assessing its office space and leasing agreements, as it operates around 70 offices, which encompass approximately 400,000 square feet of leased space. In total, HHS owns about one million square feet of office space.
Traynor remarked that HHS is likely one of the last government agencies in North Dakota to initiate such a transition. The North Dakota Department of Transportation has already required employees near its headquarters to return to the office for at least one day a week since September 2, with plans to increase that requirement to three days a week starting January 2, 2025. According to DOT spokesman David Finley, team members have collaborated with their supervisors to establish permanent work arrangements that align with their roles and team needs.
In consideration of employee feedback regarding the transition, Traynor acknowledged that the announcement may surprise some. HHS intends to engage in discussions with staff about the move back to the office over the next year. The agency will accommodate individual circumstances, including those working out of state or requiring special considerations. “We haven’t made any edict you have to come back to the office tomorrow,” Traynor explained.
The emphasis on a flexible work environment and a family-friendly culture remains a priority for HHS. Traynor noted the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between work life and personal life. “We want people to make sure they’re having great family and friend time,” he added, acknowledging that blurring these lines can be detrimental to well-being.
This transition signals a broader trend among government agencies and private businesses as they seek to adapt to the evolving work landscape in the aftermath of the pandemic. As North Dakota’s HHS embarks on this phased return to in-office work, it aims to prioritize both employee needs and the enhancement of workplace relationships.
