General Motors is giving certain salaried employees at several of its plants in the United States greater flexibility to work remotely.

https://borderlessandbeyond.com/gm-is-piloting-an-initiative-to-allow-some-factory-workers-to-work-remotely/ General Motors is giving certain salaried employees at several of its plants in the United States greater flexibility to work remotely. The automaker confirmed to the Detroit Free Press Monday that it is running pilot programs at its plants that are guided by GM’s Appropriate Workplace Policy, which GM introduced in April 2021 to its global white-collar workforce. after many employees successfully worked remotely during the pandemic. Work Appropriately gives select GM employees more flexibility to work where they can best do their jobs. GM sees it as a tool to retain talent and attract new talent without forcing them to move to Michigan. But in factories, employees have until now had to work on site. GM is currently testing various pilot programs at all of its plants to “provide additional flexibility for salaried members of our manufacturing team,” GM spokesman Dan Flores told the Detroit Free Press. “The initiatives we have piloted vary from site to site, but include working from home where appropriate to complete administrative tasks, training, e-learning” and shift assignments, said Flores. But that doesn’t sit well with many factory workers who have no choice but to come to work. “Would I like to do that?” Hell yeah, bring me 400 cars and I’ll work on them in my backyard,” said Mike Yakim, a line worker at GM’s Lansing Delta Township assembly plant. “Can we do this as a pilot program? GM explores options Flores said GM’s pilot is a response to feedback from salaried employees at the plant as well as “looking for opportunities to increase employee work flexibility.” There are many jobs at GM where the work will continue to be done at a GM plant, Flores said. These include engineering, vehicle design, vehicle testing and development as well as assembly line and manufacturing skilled trades. “But where there are opportunities, we explore options,” Flores said. “I know the factory management works in the factory every day.” Pilot programs are only tested on assignments that offer “workplace flexibility,” he said. These include jobs in human relations, for example, some unionized workers at the plant said. “Feedback from our salaried team members has been universally positive,” Flores said. “They appreciate that we continue to explore what’s possible and they’re really excited about the ideas that are being explored and put into practice.” Flores declined to specify which ideas have been put into practice so far. It’s also unclear whether GM will officially adopt a Work Appropriately type program at its factories because, Flores said, “Due to varying work requirements, there is no end date/end date. specific start and initiatives vary by site.” “A double standard” At Factory ZERO in Detroit and Hamtramck, local union leaders have complained to management that some salaried employees are being allowed to work remotely, said Scott Harwick, president of the factory’s Local 22 workshop. UAW, which represents hourly workers there. Factory ZERO is GM’s most technologically advanced factory. It was revamped to the tune of $2.2 billion to build all electric vehicles.