Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced a series of major policy changes for all executive branch employees as part of her broader Arkansas Forward initiative. The Governor’s new directives aim to modernize government operations by focusing on in-person collaboration, expanded office hours, and family-friendly flexibility, including the statewide rollout of the Infant at Work policy.
The Governor’s announcement comes after months of internal evaluations under the Arkansas Forward effort, which previously introduced a new state employee pay plan and helped identify over $300 million in cost savings and avoidance across state government. Governor Sanders emphasized that these latest reforms are intended to move state agencies away from policies put in place during the pandemic.
“Over the past two-and-a-half years, my administration has worked hard to build a state government that serves our citizens efficiently while saving taxpayer dollars,” Sanders wrote in a letter sent directly to state employees. “Today, we are announcing the newest initiative from Arkansas Forward: revised work policies for all state agencies.”
End of Routine Remote Work and Standardized Office Hours
Effective October 1, 2025, the regular use of remote work will no longer be allowed across Arkansas’s executive branch agencies. The Governor explained that while remote tools remain useful during emergencies, they should not replace in-person cooperation.
“It’s time to leave the inefficient policies implemented five years ago in the past, too,” Sanders stated, referring to pandemic-era workplace adjustments. “Modern technology is excellent and gives us great flexibility during emergencies, but state employees serve our citizens best when they collaborate in person.”
In the same spirit, virtual meetings will be discouraged in favor of face-to-face communication, a move the administration believes will enhance clarity and interpersonal interaction among colleagues.
Additionally, all state offices will operate under new extended office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, ensuring more consistent public access and service availability. To accommodate these hours and the diverse needs of workers, Flexible and Alternative work schedules will be introduced, allowing agencies to cover all responsibilities without sacrificing productivity.
Infant at Work Policy Goes Statewide
Among the most family-focused changes is the expansion of the Infant at Work policy, a program initially piloted in the Governor’s Office and the Department of Human Services. The policy permits eligible employees with infants between 4 weeks and 6 months of age to bring their child to work, provided they receive supervisor approval.
“As a working mom, I know how important a child’s earliest months are for bonding and education,” Sanders wrote. “Working moms and dads are a critical component of our workforce, and I want to make sure we provide additional options for families to have flexibility and not have to choose between staying home with their infant or returning to work.”
This expanded benefit is designed to help Arkansas retain talented employees, ease the transition back into the workforce for new parents, and strengthen bonds during a child’s formative months.
Governor Sanders concluded her message with an optimistic tone, expressing confidence that these changes will support a “responsive, efficient government” that continues to improve service to Arkansans.
With Arkansas Forward leading the way, the Governor’s new policies signal a cultural shift for state government—prioritizing accountability, face-to-face teamwork, and family-centered flexibility as essential tools for better governance.
