Gov. Gavin Newsom Doubles Down on State Worker Return to Office Policies

Speaking from Modesto on Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom reaffirmed his decision to bring back state workers to offices in Sacramento for at least four days a week from mostly stay at home hours.

During press questions at the the career and education event, Newsom stressed the importance of state workers returning to offices, saying that productivity would improve and that it would bring back a “team” atmosphere. In addition, he noted how that a return to the office could bring in more business for struggling businesses in Sacramento around office buildings.

“I got three kids in public school, and teachers come to work every day,” said Newsom. “We’re public servants, and I think it’s important to show up for each other and ourselves. By returning to the office, employees can connect with folks that we disconnected with. Create a sense of community, a team. I think it strengthens work and output and productivity.

“I want to see these neighborhoods, these downtowns come back to life. These poor mom and pops, they’re out of business or barely holding on. They’re just desperate to see people back on the sidewalks. I’d like to see people walking the streets again.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many state workers have worked schedules with several work from home days a week. In some cases, jobs were essentially work from home. However, even as lockdowns were lifted and stay at home ended for many sectors, state workers stuck to the hybrid schedule. That was until early last month when Newsom signed a new executive order aimed at bringing state workers back to the office.

According to the order, “All agencies and departments within his Administration to update their hybrid telework policies to a default of at least four days per week by July 1, 2025. The order establishes a four-day-per-week in-office expectation, with further telework flexibilities granted on a case-by-case basis in light of individual circumstances, consistent with the executive order and existing family-friendly employment policies and legal obligations.

“To further enhance the state’s workforce needs, the Governor is also directing CalHR to streamline the hiring process for former federal employees seeking employment in key roles, including firefighting, forest management, and weather forecasting.”

Back to the office in Sacramento

Public reaction was mixed. Many downtown businesses and Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty support the order, as they see it as both an economic boon for businesses come July, as well as a catalyst to get more state workers to take public transportation like the SacRT light rail into work. Some have even seen this as a second major economic bump for the city following a projected rise in business with the Athletics temporarily playing in nearby West Sacramento for the next three years.

At the same time, many state workers have not been happy with the impending return to work orders. Many took state jobs because of the stay from home benefit that gave them time to help watch over children or take care of elderly relatives. Others have said that the disruption could also lower productivity, as studies have shown that work from home employees have about 40% more productivity thanks to not having to commute and no usual office distractions.

The Globe contacted the Governor’s office on Thursday over what steps the state is taking to discourage practices like “Coffee badging” to help stop workers from leaving early to work from home and avoid work from office orders, as they have become prevalent in the past few years. The Governor’s office was also asked if the number of required office days per week would be shifted from 4 to 3 or fewer in the future, including around holidays or state events, because of employee backlash.

“I will say generally, employees leaving early would need to work with their supervisors and use their leave time,” said California Government Operations Agency (GovOps) Deputy Secretary of Communications Roy Kennedy to the Globe on Thursday. “As for further adjustments to the 4-day RTO order, I wouldn’t speculate or comment on anything that’s not official. Right now, GovOps is playing a coordinating role implementing the 4-day requirement that begins July 1.”

As of Thursday, the state is full steam ahead on returning state employees to the office.