On August 28, 2025, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced new work policies for state employees, effective October 1, 2025, as part of the Arkansas Forward initiative. The policies aim to enhance efficiency, promote in-person collaboration, and support working parents, but some aspects have sparked debate, particularly the expansion of the Infant at Work policy.
The new policies include:
- End of Regular Remote Work: Remote work will no longer be standard, with in-person collaboration prioritized, though remote options remain for emergencies.
- Preference for In-Person Meetings: Virtual meetings will be minimized to foster face-to-face communication.
- Extended Office Hours: State government offices will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Flexible and Alternative Work Schedules: New scheduling policies will ensure coverage within the extended hours.
- Statewide Infant at Work Policy: Expanded from a pilot in the Governor’s Office and the Arkansas Department of Human Services, this policy allows employees to bring infants aged 4 weeks to 6 months to work, pending supervisor approval.
Governor Sanders emphasized that these changes build on the Arkansas Forward initiative, which she says has delivered a new employee pay plan, increased salaries for two-thirds of the state workforce, and identified $300 million in cost savings. The Infant at Work policy, in particular, is presented as a way to support working parents by offering flexibility during a child’s early months.
However, the Infant at Work policy has drawn criticism, echoing concerns raised about a similar legislative proposal, HB170, which failed to pass in the recent session. HB1720 would have permitted supervisors to allow state employees to bring children, including foster children, up to 6 months old to work, with provisions not prohibiting agencies from allowing older children. Conduit argued that while well-intentioned, such policies are misguided. They contend that infants and young children can significantly distract parents and co-workers, hindering productivity. Conduit’s stance highlighted that, except in rare cases, the presence of children in the workplace could undermine the focus required for effective work, drawing a comparison to Elon Musk’s symbolic “sink” gesture when taking over X to signal a need for workplace efficiency.
Supporters of the policy argue it provides critical support for working parents, particularly in the early months of a child’s life, and aligns with the state’s goal of fostering a family-friendly work environment.
The new policies reflect a shift away from pandemic-era practices, with the administration emphasizing in-person work to better serve Arkansas citizens. As the October 1 implementation date approaches, the debate over the Infant at Work policy is likely to continue, with stakeholders weighing its benefits against potential impacts on workplace productivity.
Read the Governor’s announcement here.
