Straight out of ‘Parks and Recreation’: A gardener asks Human Resources if he can work from home 2 days a week

Working from home has become a defining shift in the modern workplace — especially since the pandemic, when it became a lifeline for millions of employees. For many, it’s now a non-negotiable part of work-life balance, boosting both productivity and mental health.

In Spain, dozens of local governments have embraced hybrid schedules, allowing staff to telecommute a few days a week. The City Council of Torrevieja — a coastal town in southeastern Spain — is one of them, with nearly 700 municipal employees eligible to work remotely up to two days a week.

But not everyone qualifies.

That became clear when one city worker, assigned to the Parks and Gardens Department, asked to work from home on Mondays and Fridays. Human Resources reviewed his request — and rejected it. The reason? His position, they said, simply wasn’t suitable to remote work.

Why HR said no

According to city officials, the Parks and Gardens Department handles the upkeep of public green spaces, pruning, landscaping, and support work in public construction projects — duties that require being physically present. Unlike administrative or clerical roles, these tasks can’t be done from behind a computer.

Still, the employee pushed back. He filed an internal appeal, insisting that his current assignment actually was compatible with remote work.

The twist: a temporary office role

The worker explained that he had been temporarily transferred to the Treasury Department, an area where employees are allowed to telework. And indeed, the city confirmed this was true — but added an important clarification: his transfer was only temporary.

Because the assignment was not permanent, officials concluded that the request didn’t meet the criteria for remote work eligibility. The decision stood.

A broader debate about remote work

The case has sparked online discussion about fairness and flexibility in government jobs — particularly as more public agencies adopt hybrid models. While remote work has become the norm in many white-collar fields, roles tied to physical labor or community services still face limits that office workers rarely consider.

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