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State Employees
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Instead of taking away one of the very few benefits that working for the state provides to underpaid and over-worked employees, Gov Stitt should consider focusing on the extremely low retention rates, high burnout, & terrible policies that not only affect employees, but the entire community of Oklahoma. Taking away something that so many state workers benefit from will surely cause a much larger shortage of workers in our state agencies. Without these important state workers, our communities will suffer greatly. Calling hybrid employees “stragglers” is highly disrespectful and shows how our so-called “leadership” thinks of the people that have put in many hard working years of their life into serving the state and its people. It’s nearly 2025, the success of hybrid work has been proven time and time again by much larger entities than the State of Oklahoma. This is yet another example of our government displaying resistance and going backwards in order to satisfy their uncontrollable need to control.
MaKena supported: Retain Hybrid Work Schedules for State EmployeesForcing employees to return to the office on short notice is not only unfair but counterproductive, especially for state workers who are already among the lowest paid in their field. This results in adverse effects such as increased gas prices, long (unpaid) commute times at the employees’ expense, and the immediate need to arrange childcare. These added expenses disproportionately affect under-paid employees, further exacerbating economic strain.
Additionally, this measure is counterproductive to Stitt’s reasoning for full-time, return-to-office plan. For the state, it can mean higher operational costs, including office maintenance, utilities, and infrastructure needs. It also risks losing skilled workers who may leave for employers offering better remote or hybrid options, worsening retention in an already competitive labor market.
This decision overlooks the financial and mental well-being of employees while offering little tangible benefit, especially when remote work has been effective in delivering results.
A supported: Retain Hybrid Work Schedules for State EmployeesTaking away the only benefit that has kept most veteran employees, who have been overworked and underpaid for years, is detrimental to the already extremely high turnover rate.
Diana supported: Retain Hybrid Work Schedules for State EmployeesWFH/hybrid work should continue because our lives and the economy/cost of living have changed dramatically since 2019 and this call to the office is, of course, happening with no compensation included (even bonuses we had been getting for two years also stopped last year.)
Logically and fiscally, it makes no sense since DHS sold its offices and there is literally not enough office space for everyone. Who benefits from DHS having to buy more real estate? It’s not the tax payers or underpaid employees.
People with children are rightfully panicking because Oklahoma does not have enough licensed child care providers, so there are wait lists people have to get on before their children are even born, and then there is the cost. People will literally be working solely to pay for child care, and while DHS did offer a subsidized child care benefit for a couple years, that’s also been taken from us. This isn’t saying people don’t have kids in child care now, but because of the flexible schedule WFH offers they are able to work within school and provider parameters for drop off and pick up. This does not affect their work as we have breaks and lunch time for these tasks. Parents will now have to look at before and after school options/care too. This is an antifamily choice. Those I work with definitely work more (hours wise) with WFH due to the flexibility it allows. I know I work more now without OT or comp time. That will end if we return to office because we’ll have to deal with the commute and burnout.
As a side note, the ability to book an office space based on need or desire was never taken away for those who prefer it. And most of us do meet regularly with our coworkers/teams and have developed successful collaborative bonds.
This will most certainly affect the wellbeing of DHS employees and affect our work. I’m certain we will lose talent and experience due to this; that affects our clients, and it costs A LOT to train new hires.
The world has changed in terms of how we are able to work and flexibility and Oklahoma is going backwards. This is an anti-family, anti-health decision, and it’s just not an intelligent move either.
Also keep in mind we were told this would be a permanent change when it happened.
Samantha supported: Retain Hybrid Work Schedules for State EmployeesThese organizations functioned well as WFH. RTO places undue burdens on people who set up their lives around the idea that they'd be teleworking and directly contradicts messaging from this administration.
Joe supported: Governor Newsom must rescind his mandatory RTO order for California State EmployeesRTO is forcing me back into a hostile work environment, and I’m devastated. In addition, I don’t know how I’ll pay for gas and parking. RTO makes no sense, and I’m sick of being condescended to by hearing the BS “collaboration “ excuse for RTO. This order makes it abundantly clear that state workers are political pawns, and our mental, physical, and financial well-being is of no concern to Newsom.
RTO is harmful, demoralizing, and creates hardships for employees.
Marta supported: Governor Newsom must rescind his mandatory RTO order for California State EmployeesMy husband and I want to buy a home and start a family since we are in our late 30's. Unfortunately, the housing in decent neighborhoods in Sacramento is far from affordable and we don't have child care through our family. The RTO mandate amplifies this issue since there will more expenses to think about and less flexibility to provide our own child care. My team and other units we work with have been very successful in providing excellent results while WFH. The RTO mandate is completely political and has no standing in the real offices where we work. There are is no data to say otherwise. No one has been more productive or collaborative while working in the office. From my experience, after the added expenses and commute, the office is a loud environment where concentration is impossible with the amount of chatter. The morale has been declining with the upcoming RTO and all for a political play on the backs of state workers who are expected to spend their little money on "revitalizing" downtown when we can't even afford to buy a house or start a family. Tell me how that makes sense?!
Lynn supported: Governor Newsom must rescind his mandatory RTO order for California State EmployeesI accepted a position with the state in 2023 because it was a hybrid remote position. It didn't pay more than my current job, but I new even partially WFH would save me some money and provide the flexibility for my wife and I to start a family. Now we are expecting our first child in a few weeks and I'm looking for a new job that is remote or has a salary that will cover the cost of daycare full time.
Travis supported: Governor Newsom must rescind his mandatory RTO order for California State EmployeesBe a better American and speak up for a more balance work like balance and keep full time telework! With chronic pain telework allows me to work full time and manage pain better, contributing to a higher quality of life.
Candi supported: Governor Newsom must rescind his mandatory RTO order for California State EmployeesForcing workers to return to an office is an endeavor that hurts the working class and only benefits big businesses and real estate investors. Workers have proven their ability to work from the freedom and comfort of home without any negative impacts. If the office buildings themselves are not being used then it would be better to repurpose them into more mixed use developments with living and shopping spaces.
Spencer supported: Governor Newsom must rescind his mandatory RTO order for California State EmployeesYou’re not alone — a community of supporters is ready to back you.
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