u/surf_drunk_monk

The PECG Bargaining Team met with CalHR (representing the State) yesterday to resume discussions on PECG’s Side Letter #27 (SL #27), which suspended the Governor’s four-day return-to-office (RTO) Executive Order last summer for a period of one year – but calls for its reinstitution on July 1, 2026.

The PECG Team continued to press CalHR to provide any objective data or analysis that would support the need for the RTO policy, identify the expected impact on the recruitment and retention of state engineers and related professionals, and reveal the cost of the policy to taxpayers.   

Quite simply, the state does not have objective information that points to the operational need for the RTO policy, has not considered recruitment or retention of employees in its deliberations, and has no interest in sharing with PECG, the Legislature, or the public what it will cost to lease, build out, and equip tens of thousands of needed workplaces.  The State also made it clear that they have not considered the cost of the RTO policy to employees during a period of surging gas prices, high inflation, and lagging state salaries. 

As is evident from the many RTO notices PECG members continue to receive from management, the Administration’s position remains that state employees must return to the office four days per week effective July 1, 2026.  Their only justification remains the desire to restore “collaboration, cohesion, communication, and mentorship” to state workplaces.

PECG will continue to meet and confer on the RTO policy and will share additional updates as they develop.  As always, it is important to remember that in any negotiation between PECG and the State, both sides must agree to change or adopt a particular benefit or policy. 

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I received the RTO email from my department end of the day on Friday. Below is my reply, which I will send Monday morning. Some personal info is redacted. I have sent similar emails in the past, as a response to past RTO directives. One time I received a phone call and we talked about it for like 20 minutes; it was clear they had read my whole email. The other times I received polite email responses. People do read these and respond. I also did not experience any retaliation or negative consequences for doing so. I encourage others to respond to the emails from their directors.

Hello Director,

This order seems unnecessary, and out of line with Department core principles and state values. In addition, the State Auditor’s report found that $225 million annually could be saved by embracing the current hybrid model. The report also found that remote work did not negatively affect productivity, collaboration, or customer service.

I started working for Department about three years ago, and my top reasons for accepting the position were a different work culture and teleworking opportunities. My previous employer had a butt-in-your-chair-equals-work mindset. There was little collaboration or mentorship, even though it was a small organization and we all sat very near each other. Productivity was measured by being present in your cubicle rather than project schedules and deliverables.

During my 3+ years at Department I have found the hybrid work model to be highly effective. People are very helpful here and willing to take time to share knowledge and resources. The current hybrid model includes in-office time which captures the benefits of in-person communication. Modern tools like screen sharing, video chats, emails, and phone calls are as effective, and in some cases more so, than finding someone to speak with in person. The way we work has adapted to take advantage of these tools. I have seen that virtual meetings are often preferred over in-person meetings, even on office days, because it is common for the meeting attendees to work in different office locations. The jokes about going to your office to join Teams meetings are real, and due to the time savings of not having to travel to a meeting location, I don’t see that going away.

The Department Strategic Plan outlines five core principles: safety, equity, climate action, prosperity, and employee excellence. The Plan also says Department is committed to a People-First approach and states, "Department cannot succeed without employees who are healthy, fulfilled and growing in their careers." The Statewide Telework Policy says department telework programs are expected to encourage employee participation, reduce required office space, reduce environmental impacts, and improve employee retention and recruitment. The Return to Office order seems contradictory to these goals. We have all seen that teleworking is effective during recent years. I cannot agree that RTO would enhance communication, creativity, professional relationships, or any of the other goals mentioned as I have directly experienced this is not the case. I don't understand the reason for the order when everything is working so well, and it would create a significant disruption to state workers and increased costs to the state.

When I joined Department I felt like a member of a team of valued professionals. This order feels controlling and mean-spirited. I know you are a busy person and I do not expect a response, but please reconsider your position on this order. I don’t know your personal stance on the matter, and I suspect you are simply following the Governor’s orders, as seems the case with everyone else. But when are we going to stand up and say this doesn’t make sense, and is a step backwards? Because it doesn’t, and it is.

Thank you,

I have a government pension and will be eligible for social security benefits. I ran the retirement estimates from both websites. I assumed I quite working today and made 0 income from this point on.

I had to discount the pension amount for inflation because it would be based on current year salary, which would not be adjusted between now and when I start collecting it. However, the pension does get COLAs once it begins.

My understanding is Social Security is all indexed, so discounting it like above is not needed.

Coincidentally, the combined benefit is right around my current spending. Theoretically, if my stash gets me to age 62, I'm ok after that point.

Would this change your plan or your SWR? How do you view the risk of pensions or ss benefits being cut?

As this sub has grown, it has become the same posts everyday:

Does the 4% rule still work if the market crashes?

How do I become rich and cool like you guys?

Why don't more people do dividend investing?

We should have a Required Reading list on the sidebar, and tell people to read it before posting. What should be on the list?