On June 16, 2026, SEIU Local 1000 held a meet and confer with Franchise Tax Board (FTB) regarding the Return-to-Office (RTO) mandate effective July 1, 2026. The team was able to confirm:
- FTB did not identify issues or concerns with operations or other issues with its telework policy or plan outside of the Executive Order.
- FTB is not capturing information related to the impact of the 4 days in office as far as collaboration, cohesion, team culture, etc.
- FTB acknowledges that the 4 day in office RTO may have negative impacts but will address those if they arise. However, it has no plans to deviate from the 4 day in office RTO per the Executive Order.
- FTB acknowledges that collaboration and cohesion were happening with the 2 day in office telework arrangements, and believes it will increase but has not identified markers or benchmarks related to the increase it hopes to achieve.
- FTB has not exempted groups or work units based on the nature of the work performed.
- FTB allows 1 day of telework per week, regardless of AWW, time base, etc. All employees may, depending on operational need, telework up to 1 day per week.
- There is no requirement to make up in-person days unless there is a business need.
- FTB will follow the medical/RA exemptions as well as the 50 mile distance from worksite based on the telework arrangements from March 2025. Management has discretion to consider exemptions beyond the RA/medical and 50 mile distance on a case-by-case basis.
- Management has discretion to flex remote days upon request and grant additional remote days on a case-by-case basis.
- Employees seeking RAs can be granted up to a 30 day temporary RA while their permanent RA request is in process. Management has discretion to approve the temporary RA.
- Field days are considered in office days and are counted as a whole day when an employee is in the field. There is no requirement to return to the office after completing a site visit/audit.
- Out-of-state offices are not exempt but there may need to be things put in place or accommodations made temporarily for things like private areas, confidentiality, and space needs. Management has discretion to allow additional telework if needed.
The team made several proposals regarding full-time telework, parking, safe access, and commute assistance. The department confirmed they would consider and follow up at a later date during a follow-up meeting.
There are still items that need further clarification such as space and work set-ups at regional and satellite offices and if there are additional custodial service or maintenance requests in anticipation for RTO on July 1st.
However, FTB confirmed they intend to move forward with 4 days in office, per the Governor’s mandate.
In response to the RTO mandate and what is happening at the bargaining table, SEIU Local 1000 is planning a Holding the Line Rally at the Capitol to make our voices heard. Please join us on July 1 as we continue fighting for Telework that Works and the contract state workers deserve.