COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has issued an executive order requiring all permanent state employees to return to in-person work by March 17, 2025. The directive applies to employees of state agencies, boards, and commissions, officially ending remote work for most state workers.
In the order, DeWine emphasized that a full return to the office is in “the best interest of the citizens of Ohio,” stating that in-person work allows state employees to better serve the public while also maximizing the use of state-owned assets and facilities.
However, the executive order does allow for limited exceptions, as the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has been granted the authority to approve remote work arrangements when deemed necessary.
Impact on State Operations
According to DeWine’s order, the shift back to physical offices follows years of cost-saving efforts, as the state saved millions of dollars by reducing leased office space and prioritizing state-owned facilities during the pandemic.
The move comes just two weeks after former President Donald Trump announced plans to end remote work for federal employees, requiring them to return to in-person work.
Pandemic-Era Remote Work Ends
Remote work for Ohio state employees began in March 2020, when the state declared a COVID-19 state of emergency. However, DeWine noted that the majority of state employees continued working in person throughout the pandemic due to the nature of their positions.
With this latest order, Ohio joins a growing number of states rolling back remote work policies, signaling a shift toward pre-pandemic office operations.
