BarcelonaFrom now on, senior officials of the Generalitat will have to go to work from the office every day. The Government has put an end to telecommuting for top department heads because it considers that allowing it is “difficultly compatible with the nature and inherent responsibilities” of their positions. This is stated in an instruction of January 7 of the department led by the Councilor of the Presidency, Albert Dalmau, and which gives 15 days to deputy directors general and similar to adapt to the new conditions. The possibility for these professionals to work remotely was introduced following the covid-19 pandemic. In the resolution, advanced by The Newspaper and consulted by the ARA, the Secretary of Administration and Civil Service, Alícia Corral, maintains that the presence of these positions is a “necessary element” so that they can act as a link between technicians and administrators and make decisions more quickly .
According to sources from the Ministry of the Presidency consulted by Europa Press, about 100 managerial positions out of the 500 in the Generalitat worked remotely for a maximum of two days a week, with the authorization of the secretary general of their department. The Government has now decided to reverse these authorizations taking into account the “high degree of strategic responsibility” of these jobs, responsible for planning, coordinating and executing the strategic policies of each department. The decision has been taken in accordance with the considerations of the Technical Commission of the Public Service.
More presence
The bet to eliminate telework for senior managers of the Generalitat is in line with strengthening presence in the public administration and the public services it provides, which the executive of Salvador Illa wants to promote. As part of a Catalan “plan for reform and transformation of the administration”, the Government has already approved a first agreement to push forward a law that wants to guarantee face-to-face care, without the need to request an appointment in the entire sector public of the country. At the time, Councilor Dalmau assured that this would not affect the telework that some civil servants have recognized (that is, not high-ranking officials).
The Government’s plan to reform the administration has as a key piece the creation of a commission of experts led by Carles Ramió, professor of social and political sciences at the UPF. This commission will have the task of listing in ten months a series of proposals to transform the administration, emphasizing the simplification and rationalization of public bodies, transparency and digitization.
Source: www.ara.cat
