In a surprising parallel to federal policies, California Governor Gavin Newsom has mandated a significant shift back to office work for state employees.
Breitbart reported that starting July 1, 2025, California's state workforce is required to spend at least four days per week in the office, echoing a similar federal initiative led by Elon Musk.
The announcement made on Monday marks a notable change from the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work models that emerged during the coronavirus pandemic.
This shift aligns closely with the new standards set by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which also advocates for minimal teleworking to boost productivity and efficiency within federal jobs.
While the Governor did not openly endorse the federal program, his executive order includes a provision for potentially hiring federal employees who have been laid off due to the stringent DOGE policies. This indicates a strategic approach to leveraging experienced workforce transitions between federal and state levels.
Newsom's directive specifically requires all state departments and agencies to update their telework policies by the imposed deadline to accommodate the new in-office mandate.
The executive order does permit some flexibility, allowing for remote work beyond one day per week on a case-by-case basis. This flexibility is to align with family-friendly practices and existing legal obligations under employment policies, providing some leeway within the rigid four-day office requirement.
Moreover, the Governor has tasked the California Human Resources Department (CalHR) with streamlining the hiring process.
This initiative is particularly focused on drawing in former federal workers skilled in areas like firefighting, forest management, and weather forecasting, which are crucial for California’s environmental and emergency management strategies.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has also shown interest in adopting similar recruitment tactics to capitalize on the availability of skilled federal workers displaced by the federal government's strict work policies.
Within California, the ripple effects of Newsom's executive order extend to local governments as well. San Francisco’s newly appointed Mayor, Daniel Lurie, announced last week that city employees must also return to office settings, further signifying a broader shift towards pre-pandemic working conditions.
Despite clear opposition in the past from many Democrats regarding the DOGE's approach under Elon Musk, there appears to be a growing acceptance of such policies at various government levels. Whether this shift represents a tactical alignment or a change in work culture perspective remains to be seen.
The reaction among state employees and their representatives to these new mandates will likely be mixed. While some may welcome the return to a structured office environment, others who have adapted to and appreciated the flexibility of working from home might find this transition challenging.
The impacts of these changes will be observed closely, as they could set precedents for how work environments and policies are designed post-pandemic across the United States.
Comparisons with the federal initiatives spearheaded by DOGE will likely illuminate the effectiveness and public reception of such policies in increasing government efficiency and employee engagement.
As other states observe California and New York, similar policies could begin appearing across the nation, especially if the returns to in-office work demonstrate significant benefits in productivity and managerial ease.
Whatever the outcome, Newsom’s bold move marks a significant step in shaping the future of work for government employees, possibly influencing broader national employment practices in the era of recovery and technological integration post-COVID-19.