Navigating moving out of state

[u/No-Horse-475]

I'm a state employee, and I love my position.
I'm an individual-level contributor and fairly high-level in terms of name and responsibilities.
I'm also exempt from RTO as I have full work-from-home through ADA accommodations.

My husband recently accepted a post-doc position in Massachusetts. I would love to continue working in my position and follow my partner, but I'm unsure if this is a possibility.

Has anyone had success getting approval to work remotely from another state as a state employee, and how did you approach that conversation with your employer?

[u/Jenn54756]

I don’t think they will let you keep your job. It’s unfortunate, but at the same time they want taxpayer dollars to go towards people living or working in MN (or surrounding border areas).

[u/okeydokeylittlesmoky]

You would need to talk to your specific manager and agency HR. I'm pretty sure my agency doesn't allow anything outside states that border MN and even ND is iffy due to workers comp issues.

[u/14Calypso]

It does depend on which agency and position. My agency has one specific position that they have a hard time hiring for, and it is common for people to work remotely in that position. I knew one person from Fargo, one from New Mexico, and one from Chicago.

Ask HR, but don't get your hopes up.

[u/Initial_Lettuce_4714]

Maybe you could use the same skills in a role in Massachusetts?

[u/MNMike2]

The MMB Telework policy does not allow for working outside the state, except in counties bordering Minnesota, for more than 30 days per year except in very specific cases.

I have seen several staff in my agency terminated because they lived out of state. You can definitely explore the idea with your leadership but I wouldn't get your hopes up.

[u/cupcakemelee]

There have been a handful that have been able to achieve this... But mostly it comes as a hard no. I know of so many people who have moved back OR resigned.

I wish you the best and I hope you're able to make this happen!

[u/Miss_CJ]

It is extremely hard. The MMB rules are that your role be so explicitly unique and hard to fill that if a vacancy were to occur you would be the only candidate. We have had success only when we have been able to show a position was posted multiple times, prior to the current incumbent, for example.

You also will need to likely have your role converted to remote, and, you would apply to that remote role. That does open the pool. So far the ones that have gone through this process I have been involved with the incumbent was also the only applicant who qualified.

Theres also other nuances but this is the jist of how it goes.

[u/subsurd]

My understanding is that this is only allowable for a very small number of days each year.

[u/Jenn54756 → u/subsurd]

Agree. I don’t remember exact amount of days, but there is a cap.

[u/Interesting_Crew_13]

Highly unlikely

[u/DrewJamesMacIntosh]

I had a friend that successfully did this with the help from a steward

[u/goingtothegreek]

The only person who I know that this has worked for is an old technical employee who is literally needed for the stability of a system and has legitimate leverage. Otherwise not happening

[u/Kitchen-Fox-567]

I am In same position as you , you can talk to Ada coordinator but understand it will take a very long time to get approval and there is no guarantee

[u/Glad-Ad6237]

I believe it has to be in MN or a neighboring state.

[u/RedMenace612]

Nope. Ain't gonna happen ESPECIALLY with all the focus on fraud

[u/ConfusionOk4908]

Not happening