State employees in Oklahoma are headed back to the office in 2025. Governor Kevin Stitt has issued an executive order that directs state agencies to have full-time employees return to the office by February 1st. Stitt says it is important for state employees to be together.
Stitt said the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring efficient government operations and accountability to taxpayers as the COVID-19 pandemic no longer necessitates remote work accommodations.
“COVID altered the way we did business for a time, but that time has passed. Now, we need to put stewardship of taxpayer dollars as our top priority,” Governor Stitt said. “Oklahomans deserve a government that operates with full accountability and delivers services effectively. Returning to traditional work environments is a critical step in achieving that goal.”
Key Provisions of Executive Order 2024-29:
- Return to Office Deadline: All full-time state employees are required to perform their duties in their assigned office, facility, or field location by February 1, 2025.
- Limited Exceptions: Agency executives may approve exceptions for: Employees with non-standard work hours (e.g., evenings, weekends, holidays), roles where in-office employment is deemed unreasonable, and agencies facing office space constraints that would require additional expenditures to accommodate employees.
- Transparency and Accountability: Agencies utilizing exceptions must report details to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), including employee job descriptions and anticipated return dates. Quarterly reports on remote or hybrid workforce composition will be submitted to OMES starting March 31, 2025.
Governor Stitt emphasized that this executive order aligns with his administration’s broader efforts to ensure transparency and optimize the efficiency of government services.
The state COO and director of OMES Rick Rose said, “It’s time for our government to fully return to the workplace. By bringing state employees back to their offices, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing the best, most efficient service possible for the people of Oklahoma.”
Read Executive Order 2024-29 here.