03/05/2024
March 5, 2024 Labor and Public Employees Committee, SB 329
Public Hearing Testimony of
Danté Bartolomeo
Commissioner
Department of Labor
Labor and Public Employees Committee
March 5, 2024
Good Morning Senator Kushner, Representative Sanchez, Senator Sampson, Representative Weir and members of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with written testimony regarding SB 329: ACT CONCERNING HYBRID OR TELEWORK WORK SCHEDULES. My name is Danté Bartolomeo, and I am the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL).
SB 329 requires the Labor Commissioner, in collaboration with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Department of Transportation, to develop, by October 1, 2024, a marketing campaign to promote the use of hybrid, telework and other flexible work schedules. Among other things, such marketing campaign must include (1) monthly public service announcements posted on the Labor Department's Internet web site and any social media accounts and (2) explain the impact such flexible work schedules have on emissions, wear and tear on Connecticut’s roads, fossil fuel consumption, and traffic congestion.
While I can appreciate the intent of SB 329, CTDOL would incur a significant fiscal impact to develop any marketing campaign given that this agency does not have a marketing department nor a marketing budget; further, CTDOL does not employ the necessary subject matter expert(s) to conduct such a marketing campaign. Without the required expertise, staff and marketing funding, CTDOL would be unable to accomplish the requirements of SB 329.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide the Committee with this written testimony. My staff and I are available to answer any questions that you may have regarding SB 329.
Connecticut Department of Labor • www.ct.gov/dol
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer