State employees across the U.S. are being pushed back to the office this year, including in California and Texas where more than 350,000 public-sector workers are affected. As remote work is rolled back, concerns about productivity and collaboration are cited as reasons for the change. Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order requiring state workers to be in the office at least four days a week starting July 1. In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott instructed state agencies to end remote work, leading to emails telling some employees to return to the office full-time.
While some evidence suggests rigid in-office requirements may reduce productivity, Republican governors in other states like Missouri, Ohio, and Indiana are also emphasizing efficiency by pivoting away from pandemic-era flexibility. However, top performers may leave as a result, affecting recruitment and retention.
Overall, the return-to-office orders are causing anxiety among employees. While some are already accustomed to in-person work, others worry about losing flexibility, especially those with medical needs that require them to work from home. Despite positive impacts of remote work reported in Texas, the move back to the office is still happening.
State employees like Jonah Paul in California face lengthy commutes and other logistical challenges as they adjust to the new mandates. As the transition unfolds, discussions continue about the impact on workers and potential changes needed to accommodate the evolving work environment.
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