Texas orders state employees to return to in-person work by the end of March

Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered all state employees to return to in-person work full-time by the end of the month, the governor's office confirmed on Friday.

The order comes after President Donald Trump instructed all federal employees to return to in-person work earlier this year, and called out those who had failed to do so during his speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. 

Abbott's office said that all state employees will need to work in the office five-days a week, and an email from Texas Workforce Commission Executive Director Ed Serna said they will need to do so by March 31. Abbott did not include a deadline in his announcement.

The governor's deputy press secretary, Eduardo Leal, told Fox News on Friday that Texans "expect their public servants to be present and engaged in the work on their behalf."

"State agencies have been in office, and any remote work policies must ensure taxpayer dollars are being utilized efficiently," he continued. "With remote federal workers returning to the office where possible, it’s important that state agencies ensure they do the same."

Plans for returning to the office will be overseen by each state agency, but some exceptions to in-person work exist, including if an employee’s work is conducted in the field, or if there is limited office space because of renovations.

California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has also ordered state employees to return to the office this year, but has instructed them to work in the office four days a week by July 1, 2025.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.