Hawaii-2024-SR166-Introduced

WHEREAS, the goal of the Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) is to recruit and retain "the best and brightest" employees so that the state government can deliver efficient and effective services to the public; and

WHEREAS, the State strives to instill "haʻaheo" (pride) in public service; and

WHEREAS, government employees are our greatest asset, and a thriving state workforce benefits everyone, public and visitors alike; and

WHEREAS, organizational effectiveness and efficiency are supported through organizational change, improved communication, teamwork, enhanced employee satisfaction, and well-being, and the growth and development of individual employees will maximize their potential and contribution, essential to building a strong and sustainable workforce; and

WHEREAS, extensive research in organizational development has shown employees who have a high level of engagement, autonomy, and better mental and physical health are more productive in their work and that highly engaged employees correlate with increased retention rates; and

WHEREAS, today's competitive employment environment and changing needs of the workforce requires the government to adapt and evolve; and

WHEREAS, the employment environment has continued to become more competitive and the State's compensation package is no longer as desirable as it once was; therefore, the State must look to innovative and meaningful ways to attract and retain employees; and

WHEREAS, with changing societal norms, technological advancements, and greater emphasis on well-being, employees today often seek workplaces that offer flexibility in terms of hours, remote work options, and support for maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life; and

WHEREAS, while remote work can contribute to a thriving work environment, it is important to recognize that it is not the sole factor and other aspects include:

(1) Fostering a positive organizational culture;

(2) Providing opportunities for professional growth and development;

(3) Promoting effective communication and collaboration among team members;

(4) Offering competitive compensation and benefits; and

(5) Ensuring strong leadership and management support; and

All these elements, together, create a holistic and supportive work environment where employees can thrive; and

WHEREAS, ensuring the productivity, engagement, and well-being of employees is a shared responsibility between both employees and their supervisors/managers; and

WHEREAS, incorporating telework into a worksite requires more focus and attention to ensure employees are engaged and productive, with high communication and collaboration, and a sense of belonging; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Department of Human Resource Development is requested to convene a working group to develop a framework to help state department managers foster thriving work environments; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the framework is requested to provide departments with guidance, best practices, and options to ensure meaningful supervision and support for their employees; ways to gather meaningful data to monitor the level of employee engagement and productivity of both in-office and teleworking employees; any metrics for a holistic approach for measuring performance and engagement; and proposed initiatives that include training programs, mentorship, coaching, career development planning, performance management, and succession planning; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to perform an assessment and identify gaps in the current implementation of the State Telework Guidelines and to develop a framework that can be utilized in different departments and agencies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to gather information on best practices of thriving worksites including but not limited to other state departments, state and county jurisdictions, non-profit organizations, and private-sector businesses, both in Hawaii and across the nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to comprise representatives with expertise and first-hand experience in effectively implementing hybrid telework programs, which may include designees from state departments or agencies, those outside state government who possess expertise in talent and organizational development, and public sector unions whose bargaining unit employees are directly affected; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature, Governor, and head of each executive department by December 30, 2024; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Human Services, and Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Human Resource Development; Working Group; Work Environment; Report

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	166
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII