Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is following President Donald Trump’s lead and ordering state workers back to the office.
DeWine signed an executive order Tuesday afternoon, returning state employees to offices.
“It is now in the best interest of the citizens of Ohio for state of Ohio employees to complete a return to a physical office or facility to best serve the public and maximize the use of state-owned assets and facilities,” the order reads.
The move comes five years after the COVID-19 pandemic when the state ordered state and private companies to keep employees away from the office.
The order covers permanent employees of state agencies, boards and commissions under the authority of the governor and requires them to perform their duties in a physical office or facility assigned by their organization and not work routinely from a remote location by March 17.
There are exceptions for certain classifications, field workers, or employees who would not have a reasonable office, if an agency is eliminating all or part of its real estate, or if remodeling at an additional cost would be needed.
As previously reported by The Center Square, within hours of being sworn in, Trump directed federal workers to return to the office.
