California’s government workforce is preparing for another battle after Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom informed state employees that the work-from-home era is coming to an end — or at least mostly ending.

A memo sent by Cabinet Secretary Nani Coloretti instructed agencies to require employees back in the office four days per week starting July 1, allowing just one remote workday. The order enforces Executive Order N-22-25, which public employee unions had previously managed to delay through negotiations last year.

Now, however, Newsom’s administration appears determined to move forward, making it clear that excuses about office space will no longer fly. According to the governor’s office, 98% of departments already have enough room to accommodate returning employees. Apparently, the old “there’s nowhere to sit” strategy has officially expired.

Predictably, some government workers are not happy about the change. After years of remote work flexibility, many employees are resisting the return to traditional office schedules. But for millions of Americans who never had the luxury of working from home — including construction workers, police officers, truck drivers, nurses, and countless private-sector employees — the outrage may sound a little disconnected from reality.

The debate highlights a growing divide between government bureaucracies and everyday Americans who returned to normal work routines long ago. While many private businesses have already brought employees back into offices full-time, California’s public workforce has remained heavily dependent on telework policies implemented during the pandemic.

Critics argue that requiring employees to physically return could improve accountability, collaboration, and productivity inside state agencies that have often been accused of inefficiency and slow service. Others point out that taxpayers are funding office buildings that have sat partially empty for years while public services continue struggling.

Despite union resistance, the Newsom administration appears committed to enforcing the order this time around. The message from Sacramento is becoming increasingly clear: showing up to work in person is no longer considered an unreasonable expectation — no matter how many angry Zoom meetings it sparks.