California’s return to office orders landed right as state worker Alexandria Tufo established her roots in Chico.
Tufo loved her community and wanted to start a family there. She said she carefully picked an environmental scientist position two years ago which allowed remote work and was reassured by hiring managers “there’s no plans for that to ever change.” But Cabinet Secretary Ann Patterson in April 2024 ordered employees to return to the office at least two days a week. Just before this announcement, Tufo bought a house and learned she was pregnant.
And then Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in March ordering workers to return four days a week. No one was prepared for the mandate, Tufo said…