Why Newsom backtracked on ordering state workers back to the office
- Gavin Newsom delayed the return-to-office mandate for state employees due to negotiations with unions, postponing it until July 2026.
- CalHR negotiated to postpone the mandate for a year, now set for July 2026.
- Labor leaders criticized Newsom's claim of 'operational necessity' as politically motivated.
- The return-to-office mandate lacks grounding in logic, data, or operational need, according to union leaders.
15 Articles
15 Articles

Why Newsom backtracked on ordering state workers back to the office
By Maya C. Miller | CalMatters Tens of thousands of California state employees were bracing to return to the office on July 1 after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared there was an “operational necessity” for all California state employees to work in person a minimum of four days per week. That changed just before the deadline when CalHR, which represents the governor in collective bargaining, negotiated a set of deals with public employee unions that de…
Newsom delays in-office order for state employees - The Sacramento Observer
SEIU Local 1000 marchers rally in State Capitol Park World Peace Rose Garden in Sacramento on June 8, 2023. Photo by Julie A Hotz for CalMatters By Maya C. Miller | CalMatters Tens of thousands of California state employees were bracing to return to the office on July 1 after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared there was an “operational necessity” for all California state employees to work in person a minimum of four days per week. That changed just befo…
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