What resources will be available to state employees returning to office?

The return to office mandate, effective July 1, may present a significant change in state employees’ daily lives. Here are some of the resources that the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) offers to workers to facilitate the transition.

Bicycle, mass transit and vanpool initiatives

The state offers financial incentives to employees who choose not to commute by car.

The Bicycle Commuter Program offers a taxable benefit of $20 per month to state employees who ride a bicycle to the office on at least 50% of the days they are scheduled to work. The benefit may be claimed by those who use public transit for part of their commute and bicycle for the other part.

Participants in the Bicycle Commuter Program should document their commute on the bicycle self-certification form. To claim the associated benefit, participants must fill out the travel expense claim form.

The Mass Transit and Vanpool Commute Programs provide up to 100% reimbursement for employees who use mass transit (rail, bus or other commercial transportation) or vanpool to commute to work. A vanpool is a “commuter highway vehicle” with at least seven seats at over 50% capacity.

Participants in the program should follow their department’s internal policy to provide certification of their mass transit or vanpool expenses so they may be reimbursed.

Employee parking programs

Employees who drive to the office can consult the California Department of General Services (DGS)’s state employee parking and transportation map to view daily and monthly parking facilities at government buildings throughout the state.

State employees in downtown Sacramento may participate in the Online Parking Lottery System (OPLS), which draws names randomly from an online lottery to fill parking spaces as they become available. The lottery covers multiple downtown parking garages. Once a participant is issued parking, they may sign up for an alternate waitlist or re-enter the lottery if they want a different parking assignment.

The number of names pulled in the OPLS fluctuates per month and no participant is guaranteed a parking space, as the number of available spaces is directly correlated with the number of cancellations.

If an employee is not eligible for state-owned parking spaces, such as those managed by DGS, they can participate in the Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program. The program allows state employees to make a pre-tax deduction from their payroll to fund “qualified parking.”

Qualified parking includes locations on or near the employer’s business or locations from which an employee commutes to work by carpool, commuter highway vehicle, mass transit facilities or rideshares.

Childcare resources

The Flexible Dependent Care Reimbursement Account allows state employees to make pre-tax deductions from their salaries to contribute to childcare. Employees may deduct up to $625 per month, or $7,500 per year, per household. Dependents may include children under 13 years old or eldercare for a parent, spouse or child unable to care for themselves.

When participants enroll in a reimbursement account, they designate an amount each month to be deducted from their wages. That amount is automatically deposited into the account for one plan year. After a participant submits a claim for reimbursement, the reimbursement check will be mailed to them.

Employees may enroll in a reimbursement account during the annual fall open enrollment period (Sep. 14-Oct. 9) or within 60 days of experiencing an event that makes them newly eligible for the benefits.

Employee wellbeing

The state offers its employees virtual change management classes through CalLearns. Courses include “Blueprint for a Changing Workplace,” “Coping with Change,” “Interpersonal Skills,” “Organizing and Prioritizing for Success,” and “Stress Management,” among others.

State employees may also access Live Well, an employee wellness program. The program offers wellness activities, desk stretch videos and mindfulness resources. Employee Assistance Program Wellbeing Coaching and Counseling provides resources to aid in stress management and workplace adjustment.

The Statewide Engagement Program provides tools to support employee engagement and morale. Additionally, the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Toolkit includes a psychological safety guide that directs readers to create a more inclusive workplace.

For more information on any state resources, employees can contact their departmental personnel office using the online directory.