California state workers are voicing widespread discontent following Governor Gavin Newsom's order for most state employees to return to their physical offices, marking the first full week of the mandate in downtown Sacramento. The directive, which requires approximately 108,000 state employees to be in the office a minimum of four days per week, has been met with criticism regarding increased commute times, parking difficulties, and rising expenses.
Employees report that while office buildings are seeing more activity, the benefits are not immediately apparent. Juan Murillo, a resource strategies analyst, criticized the mandate, stating that decisions affecting all state employees should not be made unilaterally. "What if he’s able to tell us you have to work Saturdays and Sundays? What if what if he’s able to tell us your new schedule is 7:30 a.m. to whatever, right?" Murillo questioned, expressing concern over the potential for further arbitrary demands. He highlighted that balancing childcare responsibilities, particularly with schools on summer break, has become more challenging with the return to office.
Workers are also struggling with the financial implications of commuting. Many are opting to bring packed lunches to save money, a sentiment echoed by Murillo, who noted, "Just because we’re here doesn’t mean we’re going to spend the money here." Parking has become a significant issue, with state employees lamenting the lack of state-provided parking and the increased difficulty in finding spaces. Juan Mahecha, a construction worker, observed that parking lots he uses have become consistently full in recent weeks.
Carey Wells, a contract procurement analyst, described the parking situation near his downtown residence as a daily hassle, often requiring 20 to 30 minutes to find a spot between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wells also pointed out the perceived financial contradiction: "You can’t have it both ways. We don’t have the money for raises but we have the money to send you back into office. Doesn’t make sense."
LaTonya Slade, an analyst with the state’s Employment Training Panel, expressed initial dissatisfaction with the mandate. While acknowledging it's only the first week, she noted that downtown still feels less vibrant than anticipated. The transition is ongoing, and Slade mentioned that formal tracking of in-office days has not yet been implemented, though further directives may follow.
Governor Newsom has stated the return-to-office policy is intended to enhance collaboration and public service. However, labor groups representing state employees have protested the decision. Murillo, who walks to his office to avoid parking issues, emphasized the state's lack of support, stating, "The state doesn’t want to provide us parking spaces. They don’t want to provide us anything. They’re not bargaining in good faith."