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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz orders state workers back to office 50% of time

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Tuesday a plan requiring approximately 40,000 state employees to work in person at least 50% of the time, starting June 1, with an exemption for those living over 75 miles from their office.
Downtown St. Paul officials and businesses anticipate the return of state and city workers will increase foot traffic, boost the local economy, and help sustain businesses, as the downtown improvement district has tripled in size focusing on cleaning and safety patrols.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter called city workers back to the office at least three days a week starting April 1, supporting an office-first approach to revitalize the city, and has been in talks with the governor for months about state workers returning.
The governor defended the decision as a means to improve collaboration and retain employees, noting the new reality of the workplace is hybrid, while St. Paul city workers have already returned to the office at least three days per week since January 1, with over 80% working in person.
Union leaders expressed strong opposition to the mandate, threatening a lawsuit and citing concerns about a lack of engagement, childcare issues, potential loss of employees to the private sector, and the absence of dedicated office spaces, with some employees considering early retirement rather than returning to the office.

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Pioneer Press

Center

Back-to-office order could be ‘shot in the arm’ for downtown St. Paul

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says he will require state employees to report to the office for at least half of their scheduled workdays starting June 1. What does this mean for downtown St. Paul? “I think this is going to be a tremendously positive thing for downtown,” said Joe Spencer, president of the St. Paul Downtown Alliance. “The state of Minnesota is our largest employer and, as our largest employer, having those workers return is going to hav…

4 days ago·Saint Paul, United States

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KSTP News

Center

Workers to return to downtown St. Paul under new state policy

It comes as late last year, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter called city workers back to the office at least three days a week starting April 1.

5 days ago·Saint Paul, United States

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Fox 9

Center

Gov. Walz orders state employees back to office, unions push back

Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday announced plans to require state employees to return to the office at least 50% of the time, a move that was met with immediate and forceful pushback from unions.

5 days ago·Minneapolis, United States

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Star Tribune

Lean Left

Minnesota government workers will return to the office on June 1. Here’s what we know.

Gov. Tim Walz answered questions on the new policy Wednesday, addressing criticisms and the logistics of bringing tens of thousands of state workers back to the office.

5 days ago·Minneapolis, United States

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KARE

Center

'We were shocked': Gov. Walz orders state workers to return to the office, not everyone is happy

When state workers return to the office on June 1, it’ll either be a day of excitement or a dreadful one.

5 days ago·Minneapolis, United States

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Inc.

Center

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Calls State Workers Back to the Office—But Only for Half the Time

Return to the office mandates remain controversial and deliver mixed results, which may be why the Democratic state leader is trying a balanced approach that appeals to working parents.

5 days ago

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