A lazy businessman sitting disrespectfully with his legs on the deskFederal government workers have recently been required to return to the office as have employees of many of the nation’s largest companies, including Amazon. Now California’s government workforce will also be expected to return to the office this summer.
Citing the collaboration, innovation and accountability benefits of in-person work, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies to update telework policies to reflect a new default expectation of at least four in-office days per week beginning July 1. The order provides for telework flexibility on a case-by-case asis.
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At the same time, Newsom has directed the state to seek candidates from among recently terminated federal employees to fill vacancies in the state’s emergency and disaster response operations and other targeted areas.
Newsom said the directive will improve collaboration and communication that will lead to more effective decision-making, enhance mentorship and knowledge-sharing, and strengthen oversight and accountability. California employs more than 224,000 full-time state workers, including peace officers, healthcare workers, maintenance staff and safety inspectors.
The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) will help oversee the RTO transition, and state agencies and departments have been asked to develop plans to ensure workplace facilities and employee transportation options are in place to accommodate an increase in in-person work.
RTO directives have led to tension between employers and employees, many of whom are reluctant to give up the flexibility they have grown accustomed to since the pandemic.
Nathan Soto, a career expert at Resume Genius, cautioned that California may be setting itself up to lose qualified job seekers when filling current and future vacancies in state government.
“The ability to work from home is one of the top three most important factors for job seekers,” said Soto. “In fact, 86% of job seekers say that a lack of flexibility in hours/location (including the ability to telework) will negatively impact their decision to accept a job.”
Soto acknowledged, however, that in light of sweeping federal worker cuts, some public workers who have opposed RTO policies in the past may be increasingly inclined to accept their terms.
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