California Agencies Ordering Remote Employees Back to the Office for Hybrid Work

Nearly four years after the pandemic altered the employment landscape, several state agencies in California are transitioning remote workers back to the office in 2024. Memos sent to staff this month by the heads of the state’s Health and Human Services, Employment Development, and Environmental Protection agencies informed remote employees that in-person attendance will be mandatory at least two days per week. “Our goal is to ensure that our hybrid workplace maintains flexibility while promoting deliberative, in-person collaboration among colleagues,” Yana Garcia, secretary for the state’s environmental protection agency, said in a Jan. 12 email to staff. “This proposed change would allow us to continue the benefits of remote work, while improving our ability to serve Californians and support a thriving workforce by fostering collaboration, strengthening our teams, enhancing communication, and continuing to experience work-life balance.”...