Governor Newsom's Four-Day Return-to-Office Mandate Sparks Statewide Debate

Governor Gavin Newsom ordered California state employees to work in the office four days a week starting July 1, after an earlier 2024 policy limited in-person work to two days. Lawmakers and unions asked for a pause while a state audit was pending; Newsom delayed the order shortly before its July rollout as part of bargaining-unit negotiations.

Sacramento Bee

The California State Auditor reviewed 19 departments, finding 3.2 million sq ft of unused space costing $117 million. It estimated a three-day-remote policy could cut space needs by 30% and save up to $225 million annually. Auditors noted the governor’s office did not use available space-need data before issuing the orders.

Sacramento Bee

Assemblymember Alex Lee (D) introduced AB 1729, requiring agencies to justify in writing why a role must be on-site and to publish a dashboard of telework savings. The bill cleared the Senate Labor Committee 4-1 and all prior committees; it now awaits a final Senate vote before the governor signs.

Thousands of California state workers are fighting Gov. Newsom's order to work in offices four days a week starting July 1, with unions backing a bill to expand telework flexibility.

Newsom said more in-person time boosts collaboration, mentorship and downtown Sacramento commerce. Auditor Grant Parks said the administration could have better used information on departments’ office space needs and warned that the state may need additional space if the mandate proceeds.

Sacramento Bee

SEIU Local 1000 President Anica Walls warned the order could cause a “mass exodus,” especially among staff near retirement. Workers cited soaring gas prices, limited parking and childcare costs. Unions have filed lawsuits and placed billboards warning of traffic congestion.

New York Post

Robert Heidt, president of the Sacramento Metro Chamber, argued that office presence “has a lot of value… for the ebb and flow… of the next generation of workforce” and that a fully remote workforce would hurt local commerce.

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The audit’s $225 million savings estimate is labeled “hypothetical and incomplete” by the governor’s office. Auditors also warn the state may need extra office space, yet no agency has quantified the amount needed as of June 2025.

Sacramento Bee

• “I feel like there will be a mass exodus. I feel like the state needs to be ready for a mass exodus. We have individuals who have been teetering retirement, who look at this 4-days a week when they have been doing their job efficiently in a hybrid schedule will probably send them into a retirement,” — Anica Walls, President, SEIU Local 1000

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• “EVERYBODY HAS A UNIQUE CRITERIA, CIRCUMSTANCES, BY THE WAY, WE TRY TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THAT FOUR DAYS A WEEK.” — Gov. Gavin Newsom

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• “There is a lot of value in bringing people back to the office. The ebb and flow. The next generation of workforce. There is a value in experiencing by observation. Even me as the CEO, if I wasn't here every day, there are things I wouldn't notice or pick up or see in the office,” — Robert Heidt, President, Sacramento Metro Chamber

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• “If employees are required to resume working in person most of the week, the state won’t be able to offload office space.” — Auditor Grant Parks

Sacramento Bee

AB 1729 awaits a final Senate vote while the state budget is finalized. If passed, agencies must document on-site requirements, potentially altering the July 1 mandate. The governor’s office says it will consider audit recommendations in future workforce planning.

Thousands of California state workers are fighting Gov. Newsom's order to work in offices four days a week starting July 1, with unions backing a bill to expand telework flexibility.