FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laurie Laker
(c) 612-741-0662
laurie.laker@mnnurses.org
(St. Paul) – March 28, 2025 – A recent announcement by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz rolling back the state telework policy has left Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) members working for the state of Minnesota shocked and frustrated. Governor Walz’s mandate would give state employees just over 9 weeks to make this adjustment, requiring them to work onsite at least 50% of their working days each month. Nurses expect this policy reversal to have a chilling effect on the state’s progress in hiring nurses for much needed roles in state agencies
Nursing roles within the state of Minnesota have been historically difficult to fill due to the significantly lower salaries offered by the state. Even the highest paid nurses at the state of Minnesota average 17% less than their private sector colleagues. This has led to a higher vacancy rate for state nurse positions, as well as a direct impact on recipients of state services. The advent of telework, however, made it easier to fill some of these roles.
Stephanie Gunderson, a Registered Nurse with Medical Review Department for the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities began her telework role with the state in October 2023, despite taking a 25% pay cut from her role as a hospital bedside nurse. This cut was made more palatable, however, because Gunderson was able to save money on commuting and before and after school childcare. According to Gunderson, “The ability to work from home was a significant factor in my decision, as it allowed me to manage family responsibilities while maintaining my professional growth.”
Gunderson filled one of three nurse positions on her team, all of which were open when she began her role with the state. Due to these positions being telework-based roles, Gunderson was also able to recruit two additional nurses to the department, closing a yearlong staffing shortage within the agency.
Unfortunately, if the Governor’s policy change remains in place, Gunderson and both of her colleagues may be forced to leave.
“While I’ve appreciated my time at State and the professional growth opportunities it has provided, I’m finding that I can no longer justify staying with the State due to the return-to-office mandate and the added financial pressures.”
Leaders of the Minnesota Nurses Association are also expressing frustration around the lack of communication regarding this abrupt change. This decision, implemented without prior consultation or input from labor representatives, workers, and nurses, undermines the collaborative spirit essential for effective labor relations, especially in a year when our nurse contracts are up for negotiation across the major metropolitan areas of the state.
“Neither the Governor nor his office reached out to unions to warn them of this change or let them provide feedback on potential pitfalls of this decision. Instead, we learned about this change at the same time it was announced to the media. This is the last thing we expected from a Labor Governor.” said MNA President Chris Rubesch, RN.
“We now have workers who were hired strictly as telework employees being expected to find help with caregiving, purchase reliable transportation and report to a physical office, that may not even exist, with less than 10 weeks’ time. This would be difficult in even the best of situations.”
Minnesota nurses urge the Govenor to rescind the order and for his administration to engage in meaningful dialogue with labor unions partners and workers. Nurses want to address these concerns collaboratively and to work together to develop workplace policies that respect the contributions of state employees while considering the evolving dynamics of public health, workplace efficiency, and the well-being of Minnesota’s workforce.