California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered state employees back to the office without gathering necessary data on productivity or office space needs. A report by the state auditor found that the arbitrary mandate lacked justification and that California could save up to $225 million annually by maintaining a two-day in-office policy. Auditors criticized a rigid approach to telework, suggesting it contradicted state policy and limited potential cost savings. Supporters of remote work welcomed the report, seeing it as evidence that Newsom's decisions were politically motivated rather than focused on efficiency.
The audit revealed that Newsom's office did not collect essential data on office space needs or worker productivity to support its in-office order, leading to arbitrary mandates.
State Auditor Grant Parks stated that California could save up to $225 million annually with a two-days-in-office policy while reducing office space by nearly a third.
Parks emphasized that a 'one-size-fits-all approach' to telework conflicts with state policy and hinders opportunities for significant cost savings.
Supporters of work-from-home policies view the report as validation that Newsom's mandates for returning to the office were politically driven rather than productivity-focused.
Collection
[
|
...
]