Support AB 1729: State employment: telework programs.

fiscal

Increase in state budget

California could save as much as $225 million per year and reduce its office space by nearly a third if it sticks to having employees in the office two days a week and working remotely three days a week.

AB 1729 analysis from CalMatters

environmental

traffic Congestion

Increased commuting leads to more congestion, longer travel times, and higher carbon emissions. With 95,000 state workers impacted by work commutes, expect significant delays in traffic during commute times for the entire community.

environmental

Greater Pollution issues

Employee telework saved nearly 393,000 metric tons of carbon emissions during the 26 months tracked. Besides easing the strain on our infrastructure, telework can help the state meet its climate goals. Increased office occupancy leads to higher electricity, water, and HVAC system usage, increasing the environmental footprint.

workforce

Reduces Worker Productivity and Retention

The State Auditor’s Report on telework found that embracing telework has a positive affect on worker productivity, employee retention and recruitment, and job satisfaction. Other studies on telework have found the same conclusions.
State Auditor Report: 2024-118 State Telework Policies

WORKFORCE

Higher stress and safety concerns

Increased physical presence in offices and public transportation raises the risk of COVID-19, flu, and other illnesses. Some areas have high crime rates, making commuting and working in-office riskier, especially for those waiting for transit or walking.

POLICY

Contradicts Previous Order

In January 2021, Newsom’s administration told department directors that 75 percent of state workers who can telework should do so. Most of the state’s employees can work remotely. CalHR issued a memo to departments restating the administration’s stated goal of making telework a permanent part of state employment.