Newsom Tells State Employees Working Remotely to Return to the Office 2 Days a Week

The new requirement, which starts June 17, is meant to boost collaboration and accountability. Some workers complain about commuting time and costs.

The California Capitol in Sacramento on March 13, 2024. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for National Urban League

California state employees will be required to work in the office at least two days a week starting June 17, according to the governor’s office.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration sent out a memo to the 240,000 workers April 10 announcing the new requirement, saying departments’ uneven approaches to returning to in-person work “have created confusion around expectations and are likely to exacerbate inconsistencies across agencies and departments.”