Newsom Forces State Workers Back To The Office, Igniting Union Fury

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that California state workers will be required to return to the office four days a week, starting July 1 — ending the remote work model that had allowed around 95,000 employees to work from home for most of the week. 

This decision aligns with larger trends, including federal mandates pushing government workers back to in-person roles and many corporations scaling back remote work policies.

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According to the LA Times, the decision impacts about 40% of the state’s workforce, which had been working remotely at least part of the week. 

With California employing over 220,000 state workers, the policy primarily targets employees in office-based roles who had previously enjoyed flexible working arrangements. Workers already in in-person roles, such as highway patrol officers or janitors, are not affected by the change.

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While Newsom sees the shift as a way to enhance collaboration, innovation, and accountability, many public sector unions are strongly opposed. SEIU Local 1000, which represents a significant portion of the state workforce, argues that this policy is not only costly for workers — who will face higher commuting expenses — but also unnecessary. 

The union believes that the flexibility of remote and hybrid work has proven to increase productivity and employee satisfaction, while also saving taxpayer money.

Legal professionals within the state workforce are also voicing concerns. The California Association of State Attorneys and Administrative Law Judges warned that the decision could make it harder to recruit and retain talent, especially since remote work options have become a major draw for legal professionals in today’s competitive job market.

However, the move is being celebrated by local officials, particularly those in urban areas that have suffered due to the absence of state workers in downtown districts. These officials argue that the return to in-person work will help rejuvenate local businesses that have struggled during the pandemic era.

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In addition to the new office attendance requirement, Newsom’s order includes provisions to streamline the hiring process for former federal employees to fill emergency roles in the state, including firefighting and disaster management positions.

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