Ohio Governor Orders State Employees Back to In-Office Work by March 17

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has issued an executive order mandating state employees to return to their offices full-time by March 17. This decision comes nearly five years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to many employees working remotely. DeWine emphasized that the return is in the best interest of Ohio citizens and aims to optimize the use of state office space, which has already saved taxpayers millions due to reduced leasing costs. The order allows for exceptions in cases where in-office work is not feasible or if office spaces have been eliminated. DeWine's directive aligns with similar moves by major employers in Columbus and follows a federal mandate by President Trump for federal employees to return to in-person work. Overall, this shift reflects a broader trend of returning to traditional work environments post-pandemic.