California Union Pushes Work-From-Home Bill as Newsom Calls State Employees Back to Office

Assemblymember Alex Lee authors legislation to make remote work a permanent option for state workers.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A California public employee union, the Professional Engineers in California Government, is pushing for legislation that would require state agencies to offer work-from-home options 'to the fullest extent possible' and provide written justifications when they require employees to work in person. The measure, authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee, a Milpitas Democrat, would also require the state to establish a dashboard to document the annual savings as a result of remote work.

Why it matters

The push for permanent remote work options comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom has mandated that most state employees be in the office at least four days a week starting July 1. Many state agencies have struggled to accommodate this order, lacking the necessary workstations. Remote work has been shown to save the state money and reduce environmental impact.

The details

The Professional Engineers in California Government union represents more than 15,000 state engineers who mostly work for Caltrans and in environmental agencies. As of 2024, half of the state workers were eligible for remote work, and 74% of those workers preferred telework. However, Newsom angered thousands of state employees in 2024 by calling them back to the office at least two days a week, later expanding the mandate to four days a week.

  • In 2024, half of the state workers were eligible for remote work, and 74% of those workers preferred telework.
  • In 2024, Newsom angered thousands of state employees by calling them back to the office at least two days a week.
  • In 2025, Newsom signed a more extensive mandate requiring most state workers to be in the office at least four days a week, with implementation delayed until July 2026.

The players

Professional Engineers in California Government

A California public employee union representing more than 15,000 state engineers who mostly work for Caltrans and in environmental agencies.

Assemblymember Alex Lee

A Milpitas Democrat who has authored a bill requiring state agencies to offer work-from-home options 'to the fullest extent possible'.

Gov. Gavin Newsom

The governor of California who has mandated that most state employees be in the office at least four days a week starting July 2026.

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What they’re saying

“The intent is absolutely to establish a state policy that flexible telework can and should be provided to state employees, because it serves state government, it serves taxpayers, and it certainly serves state employees.”

— Ted Toppin, Executive Director, Professional Engineers in California Government

“Saving money, protecting the environment, cutting traffic, recruiting and training staff. Those are shared goals of all Californians.”

— Ted Toppin, Executive Director, Professional Engineers in California Government

“These cost savings and environmental benefits directly benefit the public.”

— Assemblymember Alex Lee (CalMatters)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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