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Ever since California departments and companies began implementing hybrid work guidelines, critics have prompt that eventually, the state will creep again towards a full-time in-office mannequin.
That after seemingly far-fetched state of affairs may develop into a actuality for some state managers inside departments below the California Well being and Human Providers Company, in keeping with an unreleased draft memo obtained by The Sacramento Bee.
“This memorandum (memo) is to tell you of the adjustments to your present telework schedule,” the memo reads. “On January 22, 2024, the California Well being and Human Providers (‘Company’) introduced staff can be required to work in particular person/onsite two (2) days per week starting March 4, 2024.”
The draft memo contains blanks the place managers can fill within the date by which their workers are speculated to return to the workplace, what days they’re anticipated to work in-person and to what deal with they’re speculated to report.
The memo additionally features a warning concerning the penalties staff may face in the event that they refuse to signal the telework settlement or signal it too late.
“Workers who fail to adjust to the necessities outlined above by the required date might have their telework settlement canceled, requiring you to report in particular person/onsite 5 (5) days per week.”
The supervisor who shared the memo works for a division below CalHHS. Resulting from an absence of union illustration, they feared retaliation from their employer if recognized by title. A spokesperson for the division instructed The Bee in a written assertion that exact particulars of the brand new hybrid work mannequin “are nonetheless into account.”
CalHHS didn’t instantly reply to emailed requests for remark.
The supervisor stated the memo was not being despatched to rank-and-file staff but, simply to supervisors and managers. However the supervisor instructed The Bee by way of textual content that they wouldn’t be stunned if the division despatched the memo to all staff by summertime.
“Issues appear to be shifting extra rapidly than we have been initially instructed.”
This story was initially printed March 27, 2024, 5:00 AM.