M E M O R A N D U M

TO:                  Members of the Senate Labor Committee

FROM:             Hilary Chebra, Manager, Government Affairs, CCSNJ

RE:                   S-730 (Madden)

The Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) would like to voice our support for S-730 (Madden), which would establish the "Remote Work Study Commission."

The Commission created by this bill will evaluate whether the advantages of remote work exceed its disadvantages, whether remote work has positive effects on the productivity of workers, and the effect that COVID-19 pandemic has had on remote work.

COVID-19 forced businesses to adapt daily operations to meet the health and safety realities of the pandemic. Many companies turned to remote work as a safe option to keep their business operational and their employees working. As COVID-19 case numbers declined, some of the changes business made proved to be beneficial in more ways than just meeting the health and safety requirements of the time. As a result, businesses kept in place remote work or hybrid options for their employees.

It is fitting that the state should study the impact remote work has had on New Jersey’s workforce and business community. While remote work existed in some industries prior to 2020, the pandemic forced some companies to switch to that model, and many found their employees preferred to work from home. This has been a major shift in how work is conducted, and in employee work preferences around greater flexibility and work/life balance. It is smart for the state to understand remote work’s impact and convene a group of experts to examine the impact its having on the workforce, business operations, and the state as a whole.

The CCSNJ would like to thank the sponsor for the consideration of an amendment to include a representative from the CCSNJ on the commission. The CCSNJ can provide valuable insight to the unique perspective South Jersey residents and businesses have on how remote work has affected the region. Given the lack of public transportation and reliance on cars for commuting, it is important to have a South Jersey voice on the commission to present the challenges and opportunities that remote work presents to the region.

We thank you for the opportunity to share our position and urge you to vote “yes” on S-730 (Madden).