California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued a directive requiring thousands of state workers to return to their offices four days a week, aligning with a broader post-pandemic push for in-person government work.
This move signifies an acceleration toward traditional office settings after the pandemic forced many employees to work remotely, echoing similar pushes by figures like President Donald Trump and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
The big picture: The directive expands on a 2024 order that mandated state employees to work in-person at least two days a week, impacting around 95,000 workers with room for case-by-case exemptions.
Driving the news: The pandemic disrupted the work routines of California’s state employees, many of whom are unionized, leading to some pushback from labor leaders against the governor’s efforts to bring them back to the office.
- While Newsom’s administration initially allowed agencies to set their remote work policies autonomously, there is now a concerted effort to return to pre-pandemic norms, citing the need for a consistent approach across state entities.
What he’s saying: “State employees are the backbone of our government, and we are blessed in California with public servants who devote their time and talents to the smooth operation of critical services and public infrastructure,” Newsom said. “In-person work makes us all stronger – period. When we work together, collaboration improves, innovation thrives, and accountability increases. That means better service, better solutions, and better results for Californians, while still allowing flexibility.”
