Gavin Newsom has ordered nearly 100,000 California state workers to return to the office at least four days a week, aligning with a growing push to end remote work policies. His decision mirrors arguments made by conservative leaders, including President Trump, about the need for in-person accountability and efficiency.
Key Facts:
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom is mandating nearly 100,000 state workers to return to the office at least four days a week starting in July.
- The order is one of the largest state workforce return-to-office mandates since the pandemic, aligning with federal and corporate policies.
- Newsom stated that in-person work improves collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
- Compliance may be difficult, as remote-work expert Nicholas Bloom predicts workers may only show up two to three days per week.
- Some exemptions will be allowed for employees with pre-approved telework agreements or those living far from their offices.
The Rest of The Story:
California’s government workforce has largely operated on a hybrid schedule, requiring at least two in-office days per week.
Newsom’s new directive will double that requirement for nearly half of the state’s 224,000 workers.
This move follows a broader push by both the federal government and major corporations to bring employees back to physical offices.
While Newsom claims the change will boost productivity and collaboration, it also raises concerns about commute congestion, especially in urban areas like Sacramento.
California state workers will be expected to return to the office in-person at least four days a week,after a new executive order was issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday
🔳…as of July 1.🔳https://t.co/GqQVAVm70P pic.twitter.com/rGg3ld4EtL— arturodetexas (@arturodetexas) March 4, 2025
Additionally, enforcement may be inconsistent, with experts suggesting compliance will vary.
However, some workers will be eligible for exemptions based on pre-existing agreements or geographic challenges.
Commentary:
Governor Newsom’s shift to a four-day in-office workweek might surprise some, given his previous support for remote work and pandemic-era policies.
Yet, in a twist of irony, his directive mirrors the stance former President Trump took on in-person work—one that many Democrats previously opposed.
Newsom’s reasoning—improved collaboration, innovation, and accountability—echoes arguments made by corporate leaders and conservative policymakers who have long criticized remote work as inefficient.
The reality is, taxpayers should not be footing the bill for empty office space or employees who may not be working their full hours at home.
Even California, arguably the most progressive state, now acknowledges that remote work policies have led to wasteful spending and diminished oversight.
This is the same governor who, not long ago, pushed a $50 million plan to resist Trump’s policies.
Now, he’s essentially enforcing one of Trump’s key stances on workplace efficiency.
It raises the question: If even California sees the necessity of returning to the office, how much longer will other blue states resist?
At the same time, Newsom’s administration is simultaneously rolling out a plan to help former federal workers, fired under Trump, find jobs in California.
This dual approach—cracking down on remote work while extending a hand to former federal employees—seems to be a balancing act between economic realities and political loyalties.
The Bottom Line:
Governor Newsom’s mandate to bring state workers back to the office is a clear pivot toward a more traditional workplace model—one that aligns with positions once championed by Trump.
The move suggests a growing recognition, even in liberal strongholds, that remote work has its downsides.
As other states and companies reconsider their remote policies, California’s shift could set a precedent for government workplaces nationwide.
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