State Workers Grapple with Governor Newsom’s Return-to-Office Mandate

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 9, 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom has mandated that around 108,000 state employees return to working in-person at least four days a week starting July 1, reversing expanded remote work policies from the pandemic. This shift has sparked dissatisfaction among workers due to commuting challenges and costs, while some argue the move restores necessary workplace norms.

State employees in Sacramento have resumed regular office attendance following Governor Gavin Newsom’s directive requiring most remote state workers to return to in-person work starting July 1. The order mandates that approximately 108,000 state employees spend at least four days per week at their work sites, marking a significant shift from the expanded telework arrangements implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Observers visiting government offices near the State Capitol reported noticeably busier corridors, but many employees expressed dissatisfaction with the change. Several cited increased commuting challenges, higher expenses for parking and food, and a decline in workplace morale.

Juan Murillo, a resource strategies analyst at the California Energy Commission, voiced frustration over the mandate. He characterized the atmosphere in the office as tense and questioned the decision-making authority exercised by the governor's office. “The feeling around the office is a little bit off,” Murillo said, emphasizing that employee dissatisfaction extends beyond the mere shift away from remote work to concerns about top-down decisions affecting state workers broadly.

Despite those grievances, some voices argue the return to office is a necessary correction. Tim Anaya, a former state employee now affiliated with the Pacific Research Institute, a free-market think tank, described the mandate as overdue. He noted that government employees managed in-person duties effectively prior to the pandemic and criticized union opposition as out of touch with the realities faced by many private-sector workers who lack similar work-from-home privileges.

Under the return-to-office policy, state agencies retain some flexibility to accommodate operational needs and grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis. However, the overarching expectation remains for most state employees to be onsite for the majority of the workweek.

As the transition unfolds, state workers and officials continue to navigate the balance between post-pandemic workforce expectations and the practical challenges posed by increased commuting and related costs. The debate also reflects broader contrasts between public-sector labor accommodations and private-sector norms amid ongoing shifts in workplace culture.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.