This week the Newsom Administration announced an expanded return-to-office (RTO) mandate for state workers that will require all employees to return to work a minimum of four days per week beginning on July 1, 2025. While I appreciate the Governor’s intent to foster collaboration and accountability, this one-size-fits-all mandate fails to meet the mark. He should consider a more balanced approach that provides state agencies with the flexibility to require in-person work when appropriate and embrace telework where it makes sense.
Last year I proposed an audit of the Governor’s previous RTO mandate to study the rationale, timing, legality, and costs associated with his decision. My colleagues on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved it with unanimous bipartisan support and the State Auditor is set to release his report this summer.
Following the pandemic, many state agencies crafted policies tailored to their specific missions and even praised telework for enhancing productivity. Jobs involving data analysis or policy development, for example, continue to thrive remotely, while roles requiring hands-on oversight have naturally returned to in-person settings. Governor Newsom’s order, however, strips away this nuance, imposing a rigid mandate that risks undermining efficiency, morale, and taxpayer savings.
For state employees the benefits are obvious. Telework reduces their costs and improves work-life balance. But they are not the only ones who benefit from remote work. In the Sacramento region where traffic congestion is a daily reality, allowing some employees to work remotely reduces commute times for everyone and eases strain on our infrastructure. It can also help the state meet its climate goals. Telework policies over the past few years have eliminated nearly 400,000 metric tons of carbon emissions and saved workers hundreds of dollars per month in vehicle expenses.
Then there’s the financial upside for taxpayers. Telework reduces the need for sprawling office spaces, utility costs, and maintenance—expenses that ballooned as our state workforce grew. The California Department of General Services (DGS) currently manages 59 state office buildings totaling over 13 million square feet and spends over $600 million per year. More remote workers could save taxpayers by consolidating office footprints and optimizing real estate. By forcing employees back to the office four days a week, we’re not just reversing these gains—we’re asking taxpayers to foot the bill for unnecessary overhead.
Of course, critics of telework argue that in-person collaboration better cultivates teamwork and innovation. In some cases that is true. Face-to-face interaction can spark ideas and build camaraderie, and many roles require a physical presence. Unfortunately, the Governor’s order implies that four days in the office is the magic formula for every agency, every job, and every employee. That’s a leap unsupported by evidence. Tailoring policies to the work, not the calendar, is common sense.
Employee retention is another pressing concern. California’s public sector already struggles to compete with private industry salaries. Telework has been a lifeline, helping the state attract and retain talent—especially younger workers who value flexibility over rigid schedules. A 2024 survey by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System found that 68% of state workers would consider leaving if telework options vanished. Losing skilled staff means higher recruitment costs, lost institutional knowledge, and disrupted services—all of which hit taxpayers’ wallets. A balanced telework policy isn’t just a perk; it’s a strategic investment in our workforce.
Governor Newsom’s order reflects a desire for control, but it misses the bigger picture. State government isn’t a monolith—it’s a mosaic of agencies with unique missions and challenges. Rather than a blanket mandate, we need flexibility that empowers agency heads to design telework plans that maximize efficiency, accountability, and savings. In short, a system that requires in-person work where it’s essential, preserves remote options where it’s effective, and tracks outcomes to ensure state government is delivering for Californians.
Telework isn’t a relic of the pandemic, it’s an effective tool that can help the state meet its goals without sacrificing service and productivity. By embracing a balanced approach, we can support our employees, remain competitive with the private sector, reduce traffic congestion, protect our environment, and save taxpayer dollars. At the very least, Governor Newsom should wait for the results of our bipartisan audit before implementing his one-size-fits-all mandate.
Josh Hoover represents Assembly District 7, which includes the cities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova and the unincorporated communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, Gold River, Mather, McClellan Park, North Highlands, Orangevale, and Rosemont.
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