California has expanded a return-to-office mandate for many state employees, renewing debate over telework, office costs, recruitment, commuting, supervision, and public access to government services. Some jobs require face-to-face service or secure facilities, while others can be measured largely through completed work. The state can impose a uniform attendance rule, allow broad employee choice, use role-based schedules, or organize in-person work around teams, projects, and public demand. The public should get responsive service, and taxpayers should not pay for empty offices without a reason. Schedules ought to follow the work, with managers explaining and measuring why in-person time is needed.