State employee upset at mandate, says there is not enough office space

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is requiring employees to return to the office.

The first day back is Monday, but an employee there who wants to remain anonymous says, not only is there not enough space in the building for all of the workers, it isn't safe either.

"They have made the cubicles really, really small so that they can fit everybody," the employee said. "They are putting three, four people into areas that were like made for one person office."

They say they are not sure how things will go with everyone required to return to the office full-time.

"They are creating offices in areas that really are not designated for offices, more like a closet," the employee said.

The move brings the agency into compliance with an executive order signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt last December.

The department kept employees remote part-time due to a lack of space, but that changed when Gregory Slavonic took the reins as interim commissioner.

"Basically this is what is happening, and if you don't like it, then your option is that you can leave," the employee said. "The only reason he gave us is it will increase work morale and nobody agrees with that."

They add that safety is also a concern.

"Our fire escapes, some of them are blocked off, like things are in the way of the fire escape," the employee said.

The employee we spoke with says they are not so sure about that.

"How are people going to have conversations over Zoom or do a class over Zoom or a training or over the phone when people are literally right beside you talking on their phones and into their computers," the employee said.

Again, the new mandate goes into effect this coming Monday, August 4th.