A group of California state employees say they would rather work in their pajamas than return to the office.
The engineers’ union is backing a new bill to fight Governor Gavin Newsom’s July 1 return-to-office mandate, which requires most state workers to report in person up to four days a week.
Union leaders argue telework is more cost-effective and efficient and are sponsoring legislation dubbed the California Flexible Policy to Ensure Cost-Effective Efficient Government Act.
“We should all embrace telework, and this bill will ensure it continues as a viable option for state employees,” said Ted Toppin, executive director of the Professional Engineers in California Government.
“These are undeniable benefits and the shared goals of every Californian,” he added.
The work-from-home bill would require detailed, written justification from managers who insist employees return to the office.
It is authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee, a Milpitas Democrat, and backed by roughly 15,000 members of the Professional Engineers in California Government union.
The measure would also revive a public dashboard tracking annual taxpayer savings generated by remote work — data the Department of General Services stopped publishing in 2024.
Newsom first issued an order in 2024 requiring two days of in-person work, a policy that was later expanded to four days a week.
The union argues expanded telework would save the state millions of dollars.
“Flexible telework saves hundreds of millions of dollars, takes thousands of cars off the road, helps clean the air, and allows the state to hire and retain staff during a period of ongoing wage freezes,” Toppin said.
During the pandemic, state agencies widely adopted remote-work policies. By 2024, half of all state employees were eligible for telework, and 74% of those workers preferred it, according to CalMatters.
A state auditor’s report released in 2025 found allowing employees to work remotely at least three days a week would cut office space needs by 30% and save California up to $225 million annually.
Workers excluded from the proposal include the California Highway Patrol, CAL FIRE, and the Department of Corrections.
The union also has a track record of wielding political influence. Between 2015 and 2024, it contributed $3.5 million to state lawmakers, according to CalMatters’ Digital Democracy database.
The bill puts the union on a collision course with Newsom, setting up a legislative showdown over who controls California’s massive state workforce.
The Post contacted the governor’s office, which said it doesn’t typically comment on pending legislation.
