Gavin Newsom orders California state workers back to offices in person four days a week
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Monday, directing state workers who fall under his jurisdiction back into offices four days a week by July 1.
The governor’s office said it was also directing the California Department of Human Resources to make it easier to hire former federal workers in certain areas that have vacancies, in an effort that would strengthen the state’s ability to respond to disasters and emergencies.
The move comes less than a year after the governor directed departments under his administration to develop telework policies requiring employees to be in state offices at least two days a week. The push for in-person work was met with resistance by state employees and their unions.
“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,” said Newsom, announcing the directive. “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.”
In a letter sent to state employees, Newsom said that the directive follows similar changes to telework by other major private and public employers. Last week, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie directed city employees to return to the office four days a week.
Explaining his decision, the governor told state employees that working from offices improves communication, fosters better relationships and promotes creativity.
“In addition, more robust mentoring for newer employees and enhanced connections with supervisors are essential to develop the next generation of public servants,” Newsom wrote to state workers. “Being physically present allows for spontaneous conversations and informal mentoring opportunities that are harder to replicate virtually — moments that often spark innovation and deepen our sense of community.”
Move mirrors federal directive
Immediately upon returning to the White House, President Donald Trump called federal employees back to government offices.
When asked in January if Newsom would follow Trump’s lead, the governor’s office said the two-day telework directive would remain in place at the time.
Additionally, the Trump administration has sought to reduce the size of the federal workforce by laying off workers and presenting employees with early resignation offers.
Newsom is looking to hire some of those newly laid off employees.
“California is strategically recruiting experienced professionals to fill key job openings in firefighting, extreme weather forecasting, climate resilience, and water management roles — ensuring the state remains prepared for natural disasters and environmental challenges — in addition to other critical fields such as medical and mental health care,” the announcement read.
The directive applies to the majority of state employees who work for the governor’s administration. A number of other departments, which are overseen by constitutional officers such as the attorney general, secretary of state and treasurer, are exempt from the return-to-office order. Newsom encouraged those constitutional offices to adopt similar policies in his Monday announcement.
Unions pushed back against the governor’s directive, calling it “arbitrary and counterproductive.”
“The governor’s order is not aimed at improving services — it’s about optics. Our state legal professionals have demonstrated, time and again, that they can maintain exceptional productivity while teleworking. This latest decision to take away one of the few non-financial benefits of working for the state — telework — will make it harder to recruit attorneys at the current pay levels,” said Timothy O’Connor, the president of the California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges, and Hearing Officers in State Employment.
O’Connor said the telework policy would exacerbate California recruitment issues when it comes to hiring attorneys, judges, and hearing officers who had alternative job opportunities.
This story was originally published March 3, 2025 at 3:33 PM.
