California State Workers Directed to Return to Office Four Days a Week
In a surprising turn of events, Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order mandating that state employees return to the office four days a week, marking a significant departure from the post-pandemic remote work model that has been in place for nearly 95,000 government workers. This directive, set to go into effect on July 1, comes on the heels of a similar move by President Trump to recall federal employees back to their physical workspaces and is a stark contrast to the trend in many corporations offering remote work options.
“In-person work makes us all stronger — period,” Newsom emphasized in a recent statement. “When we work side by side, collaboration improves, innovation thrives, and accountability increases. This ultimately leads to better service, better solutions, and better outcomes for the people of California, all while allowing for flexibility in our work environments.”
Challenges and Controversies
With more than 220,000 full-time state employees in California, roughly 60% of whom are already required to work in-person daily, the shift back to office work will primarily impact the remaining 40% who currently report to an office at least two days a week. While the governor’s order excludes employees who were hired with remote work agreements, it has sparked backlash from powerful public sector labor unions representing state workers.
The SEIU Local 1000, the largest public sector union in the nation, has openly criticized Newsom’s decision, calling it “reckless” and accusing the governor of prioritizing political optics over the well-being of workers. Anica Walls, the union’s president, highlighted the financial strain that returning to the office will place on employees, particularly in light of California’s high cost of living. She underscored the benefits of remote and hybrid work arrangements, citing increased productivity, improved work-life balance, and cost savings for the state.
Impact on Recruitment and Local Business
The California Assn. of State Attorneys and Administrative Law Judges also expressed concerns about the executive order, stating that it overlooks the proven advantages of telework, such as enhanced productivity and employee well-being, while raising challenges in recruiting new talent. Timothy O’Connor, president of the association’s board of directors, criticized the order as being more about appearances than actual service improvement.
Local officials, however, have welcomed the return to in-person work, citing the negative impact of remote work policies on downtown districts that have suffered from closures of restaurants and businesses due to reduced foot traffic. Sacramento County, home to nearly 90,000 state workers — the highest concentration in California — has been particularly affected, followed by Los Angeles County, which houses 20,000 state employees.
Newsom’s order also includes provisions to expedite the hiring process for former federal employees seeking state roles in disaster response and emergency services, such as firefighting, forest management, and weather forecasting. This initiative, supported by entrepreneur Elon Musk, aims to address the reduction in federal workforce size under the Trump administration, which has led to significant payroll cuts.
As the transition back to office work unfolds, it remains to be seen how the state workforce will adapt to the new mandate and whether the anticipated benefits of in-person collaboration will outweigh the challenges and controversies that have arisen in response. Time will tell how this shift impacts not only the efficiency of state operations but also the well-being and job satisfaction of California’s dedicated employees.