Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently announced that it would reflect federal workers' employment mandate to the Labor Commission, requiring employees in all states to return to work.
Abbott, a Republican, announced this week that he would require employees from all states to return to the office in person, full-time, five days a week.
The move comes after President Donald Trump spoke to Congress on Tuesday, saying hundreds of thousands of federal workers “haven't appeared at work.”
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling for state employees to return to the office full-time. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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“My administration will regain power from this inexplainable bureaucracy and we will once again restore true democracy to America,” Trump said Tuesday. “Federal officials who resist this change will soon be in office as we are draining the swamp.”
Although Abbott has not publicly provided a deadline, an email sent to thousands of employees by Edcerna, executive director of the Texas Labor Commission, said he must return to the office full-time by March 31. Fox 7 Austin It has been reported.
In a statement provided to Fox News Digital on Friday, Deputy Reporter Eduardo Leal said the Texans “hopefully expect civil servants to participate and engage in the work on their behalf.”
Texas State Capitol in Austin. (AP photo)
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“State agencies are in office and remote working policies must ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used efficiently,” Leal wrote in a statement. “Whenever possible, it's important that state agencies make sure they do the same as remote federal workers are back in their offices.”
Returning to the office, individual state agencies appear to be different, and plans are formulated by leadership.
Under the Texas Government code, employees can work remotely for a variety of reasons to meet the agency's needs, such as when employee work is being done on-site or when office space is limited due to pending renovations.
Abbott publicly did not provide a deadline for Texas employees to return to work. (Fox News Photo/Joshua Comins)
Myko Gedutis, vice president of the Texas Employee Union, said the impact on state employees was “significant” and Fox 7 reported that it would focus on concerns about the space after downsizing.
“The office literally doesn't have enough space. [to]in many of these places,” he said.
Gedutis added that the agency “overwhelmingly responded that remote work was positive for them.”
Davon Barbour, president and CEO of Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA), told Fox News Digital that the city welcomed the return of in-person federal employees in Downtown, calling it a “critical step in enhancing the economic vitality of our city.”
Aerial view of the downtown Austin skyline. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“Establishing a consistent office presence in downtown directly supports small businesses by increasing pedestrian traffic and increasing dynamic energy in the city core,” the DAA said in a statement. “Downtown SMEs rely on the steady demand created by office workers, and this transition to in-person work will help sustain and grow these businesses and promote a thriving downtown environment.
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“Downtown Austin Alliance looks forward to the added vibrancy and economic activity that this increase in pedestrians will bring.”
The Texas Workforce Board did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
