The Ohio General Assembly voted to approve a two-year state budget this week that places new restrictions on remote and hybrid work. The budget prohibits state employees from working from home after January 1, 2026, except under certain circumstances. This legislative attack on collective bargaining rights also requires agencies to develop plans for state employees to report to their worksite or another location designated by the agency.
This mandate would negatively impact the entire state workforce by:
- Eliminating effective telework options;
- Undermining collective bargaining;
- Banning future negotiations over flexible work arrangements.
Broadly, this legislation undermines the Governor's executive authority to manage the state workforce and removes managerial discretion to make operational decisions based on agency needs, staffing realities and evolving technologies.
OCSEA President Chris Mabe has contacted the Governor urging him to veto the harmful language in the state budget. See that letter HERE.
We also encourage impacted members––and anyone who believes in the right to collective bargaining––to write the governor TODAY! Urge Gov. Mike DeWine to veto the provisions in the passed state budget that mandate in-office work and remove telework as a subject of collective bargaining.