Abridged
Felicia Alvarez
June 30, 2026
Most departments are granting exemptions to the policy on a case-by-case basis.
The Abridged version:
- Tens of thousands of state workers will be required to work in person four days per week starting July 1 under an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
- From the Department of Motor Vehicles to the Department of Health Care Services, most state departments have indicated that they will comply with the mandate.
- Employee unions are opposing the mandate and a protest is planned for Wednesday afternoon to urge the adoption of telework policies.
After years of delays, the start of a contentious return-to-office mandate is imminent for state workers in the capital city.
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in March 2025, calling on state workers to return to working in offices four days a week. Despite protests, attempts at fixes in the state Legislature and efforts by California’s most powerful employee unions, the order is poised to go into effect Wednesday.