California debates return-to-office order: 8 stories examine recent changes
The curated articles explore California's complex return-to-office debate, focusing on office space scarcity and political motivations impacting state workers. Articles note Gavin Newsom’s return-to-office order demanding state workers to return four days a week. Protests arise, with state employees and unions opposing the mandate, citing environmental concerns and lack of data supporting the benefits of in-office collaboration. Additionally, political motivations of Newsom's decision come under scrutiny, with some attributing it to political posturing.
Meanwhile, stories report on DGS's increased property ownership and existing space downsizing, raising questions about how the state will accommodate returning workers. Lastly, audits suggest telework could lead to substantial savings, sparking further dialogue about maintaining flexible work policies.
NO. 1: NEWSOM USED TELEWORK AS A BARGAINING CHIP. STATE WORKER UNIONS SEE OPPORTUNITY
Two months ago, state workers’ fight to maintain their ability to work remotely seemed doomed. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by William Melhado
NO. 2: CA STATE WORKERS SAVOR RETURN-TO-OFFICE RELIEF, EVEN IF IT WAS LAST MINUTE
Just one week ago, many public employees planned to be working in person four days a week. The late reversal caused some whiplash, workers said. | Published July 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by William Melhado
NO. 3: HOW THE 2026 CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR CANDIDATES VIEW TELEWORK
Earlier this year, Newsom signed a new executive order that upped the required in-office days from two to four. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Amelia Wu
NO. 4: TELEWORK FOR STATE WORKERS COULD SAVE CALIFORNIA $225 MILLION ANNUALLY, AUDIT FINDS
Allowing state employees to work from home could help California save up to $225 million in office space costs, according to a report the California State Auditor released Tuesday morning. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by William Melhado
NO. 5: CA STATE WORKERS CLAIMS ON TELEWORK BENEFITS BACKED BY INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
For those who have been following the telework debate in the California government, Tuesday’s report from the state auditor was a catharsis. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by William Melhado
NO. 6: THE RETURN-TO-OFFICE QUESTION ON CALIFORNIA STATE WORKERS’ MINDS: ‘WHY NOW?’
Gov. Gavin Newsom originally planned to issue the return-to-office order in January. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Stephen Hobbs William Melhado
NO. 7: RALLYING CA STATE WORKERS HAVE A MESSAGE FOR GAVIN NEWSOM ON RETURN-TO-OFFICE
Unions have filed challenges with the state labor board to block the new telework policy, but a decision is unlikely to come before July. | Published March 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by William Melhado Stephen Hobbs
NO. 8: DOES CALIFORNIA HAVE ENOUGH OFFICE SPACE FOR RETURNING STATE WORKERS?
In recent years, the state has built several news offices that have increased the amount of square footage it owns in Sacramento by 29%. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by William Melhado
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.