Gov. Stitt mandates state agencies to return to in-office work

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Oklahoma State employees on Wednesday were ordered to return to office, according to Governor Kevin Stitt.

The Executive Order 2024-29 Stitt signed directs state agencies to return full-time employees to in-office work environments by February 1, 2025.

According to Gov. Stitt, the decision ensures efficient government operations and accountability to taxpayers while cutting the need for further COVID-19 pandemic 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. “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.”

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt

Key Provisions of Executive Order 2024-29 state:

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.

“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.”

State COO and director of OMES Rick Rose

Read the Executive Order here.