On April 10, 2024, the Governor’s Office provided direction to all agencies and departments currently providing telework for employees to implement a hybrid telework policy with an expectation of employees now having at least two in-person office days per week, with case-by-case exceptions. The implementation date for the directive is June 17, 2024.
The Governor’s Office direction notes the Administration believes there are significant benefits to in-person work with enhanced collaboration, cohesion, and communication, better opportunities for mentorship, and improved supervision and accountability.
Through the Meet-and-Confer process, ACSS has met with departments and agencies implementing return to office changes to telework. Through those meetings, it is clear the in-person requirements are not driven by productivity issues or any operational need, rather they are only to foster collaboration. ACSS’ proposals have sought to provide maximum flexibility to continue telework for those supervisors and managers successfully working remotely. The ACSS proposals to date include:
- Reduce in-person mandate to one day as the policy goal of collaboration does not require two days
- Continue to honor 100% telework arrangements for employees accepting full telework positions or relocating their residence on the premise of 100% telework
- Not altering the 4 or 5 day telework schedules for excluded employees until it is first determined that the change in telework schedules will not result in increased office space costs
Under the Governor’s Office directive, departments already implementing hybrid telework changes will keep their schedules. For the others, ACSS will meet with CalHR and departments as needed to discuss the hybrid telework changes. While the state employer has the ultimate authority to determine where the work will be done, ACSS will continue the push for departmental flexibility to provide appropriate exceptions and maximize cost savings.
If you have any questions regarding this issue, please contact your ACSS Labor Relations Representative.