PHOENIX — The number of state employees in Arizona has increased significantly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, resulting in the state cutting down its amount of office space.
Before March 2020, less than 10% of state employees worked remotely from home. That rate has since grown to more than 40%, according to Gov. Doug Ducey's office.
As a result, the state has eliminated thousands of square feet of unneeded cubicles, meeting rooms and offices over the last two years.
Ducey's office says Arizona has saved more than $9 million in rental costs since 2020 by consolidating work spaces and reducing the state government office space.
“Our goal: fewer employees, higher efficiency, unrivaled customer service, a smaller building footprint and a reduced burden on our hard-working taxpayers," the governor said in a statement. "It’s safe to say we’ve accomplished these goals.”
On Wednesday, Ducey announced the unveiling of Arizona’s Connected Workspace, a facility for the more than 15,000 state employees who work remotely.
The workspace contains video conferencing software, interactive whiteboards, conference rooms, and personal item lockers to support a new type of "hybrid" work environment, officials say.
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