California Orders State Workers Back 4 Days a Week as 1 in 6 Sacramento Jobs Depend on Them
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Jul 1
California Orders State Workers Back 4 Days a Week as 1 in 6 Sacramento Jobs Depend on Them
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Jul 1
Summary
Most California state workers are set to return to offices four days a week, up from the two-day requirement in place since 2024 after Newsom delayed the shift by a year.
Roughly 16% of Sacramento-area workers are employed by the state, making the mandate a major test of whether restored office traffic can revive a downtown still operating at about 60% of its pre-pandemic workforce.
An audit requested by Republican assemblymember Josh Hoover said the governor's office did not fully assess space needs and costs, and some departments lack room after shedding leases during the pandemic; Newsom's office disputed that.
State employees say telework let agencies hire more staff and now leaves offices overcrowded, while restaurant owners and newer cafes say fuller weekday foot traffic could ease years of closures and weak sales.
Downtown Sacramento Partnership has already added private security ahead of the influx, saying the effort is helping reduce crime and street camping as the city prepares for more daily workers.