Newsom’s return to work order gets pushback

Governor Gavin Newsom told state workers on Monday that they’ll have to return to the office four days per week, starting this summer. Some union leaders are frustrated they first heard about it at the same time as the public.

That includes at least one union currently bargaining with the state. Tim O’Connor — a trial attorney and president of the California Association of State Attorneys and Administrative Law Judges — said work-from-home policies are in the union’s top three priorities. 

“Why the state would choose to take an issue that is very important in bargaining, very high up on the priority list, and then come out with this without addressing it at the table at all is beyond me,” he said. 

O’Connor added that for some jobs — like his — compensation isn’t all that competitive. 

“Almost all of our agencies who have a civil litigation trial department cannot keep enough attorneys employed because it's very stressful work, it's very difficult work. And for the pay, it's very difficult to recruit,” he said.

Newsom’s office said in a press release on Monday that the move would increase productivity, mentorship and accountability. 

“That means better service, better solutions, and better results for Californians, while still allowing flexibility,” Newsom said in the release. 

Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover from Folsom shares O’Connor’s concern. 

“I think if we want to really remain competitive with the private sector, we need to operate in a much more nuanced way where we are requiring in-person work for the jobs where it's needed, but we're embracing telework for the jobs that it makes sense,” he said. “I don't think that the governor’s order allows that flexibility.”

Hoover requested an audit last year into the impact of return to office policies after state workers were called back two days a week. That passed a committee unanimously, and the state auditor’s office is working on it now. 

“We're really urging the auditor's office to complete this before the implementation of this new announcement by Governor Newsom,” he said. 

Hoover added the state shouldn’t mandate state workers return to the office until there’s clear data on the costs — like commuting and office space — for employees and the state. He also says environmental impact, congestion and worker productivity should be considered. 

“Where are all these people going to come back to when some of the offices have downsized in some of the cities like Sacramento?” said Anica Walls, a disability evaluation analyst and president of one of the biggest unions that represents California state workers, Service Employees International Union Local 1000. 

“It's out of touch, it's unnecessary, and it's a step backwards,” she said.