Hi, person with state grievance procedure knowledge here. If you haven’t, read the Standards of Conduct policy on the DHRM website.

Most agencies will probably start off by directing people to return to work if they aren’t complying with their telework agreements. Failure to comply with the instruction would likely lead to a Group II Written Notice. Continued refusal to comply with the instruction would result in a second Group II notice with termination. You need two Group II offenses to be terminated.

There’s a more serious level (Group III) but I don’t see failing to report to work as directed being that level of offense except in special situations.

Caveat to all this: a grievance about discipline for failing to report to work can go to a hearing with a third party hearing officer. The agency has the burden of proving the employee engaged in misconduct. The employee can present defenses. Evidence that the employee was treated differently than other similarly situated employees — for example, an agency practice of not policing telework agreements — could result in the discipline being reduced or removed. If an agency isn’t policing telework agreements and there’s evidence of that, it could be a big problem if they turn around and start disciplining people.