COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s recent executive order mandating the return of state employees to in-person work mirrors a similar directive issued by President Donald Trump. The move underscores a GOP-driven agenda to eliminate remote work options and enforce a return to traditional office settings—a push that has raised alarms among workers, unions, and families struggling to adapt.

DeWine’s mandate, which aligns closely with Trump’s federal order targeting millions of government workers, forces a full-scale return to physical workplaces, effectively ending the flexibility many employees have relied on since the COVID-19 pandemic. While both leaders claim that in-person work improves efficiency and collaboration, critics argue that these mandates fail to consider the profound disruptions they create for working families and the broader workforce.

The Burden on Families and Workers

For many employees, particularly parents and caregivers, the return to in-person work is not just an inconvenience—it’s a crisis. The pandemic-induced shift to remote work allowed working parents to balance professional responsibilities with childcare needs. Now, as these emergency policies are dismantled, families are being thrust back into a system ill-equipped to support them.

Childcare costs, already skyrocketing, ‘will hit many families even harder’, said one state employee. Remote work provided flexibility that enabled parents to manage child care without relying on costly daycare services. With mandatory in-office work, many are now scrambling to find alternative arrangements, often at significant financial and personal expense. For lower-income families and single parents, this transition could be untenable, forcing them to make difficult decisions between career and caregiving responsibilities.

Commuting costs and time are another major concern. For employees who moved further from urban centers during the pandemic or those living in rural areas with limited transportation options, the forced return to offices introduces new logistical and financial burdens. Longer commutes mean higher fuel expenses, increased wear and tear on vehicles, and lost time that could otherwise be spent with family or on self-care.

Studies have shown that flexible work arrangements contribute to employee satisfaction and productivity—factors that seem to have been overlooked in the rush to reinstate pre-pandemic norms.

Pushback and Political Context

DeWine’s and Trump’s orders reflect a broader Republican effort to reassert traditional workplace structures and reduce government spending on hybrid or remote work accommodations. While the rhetoric centers on efficiency, many see these mandates as an ideological stance rather than a practical response to the evolving workforce landscape.

Resistance to these policies is already mounting. Federal unions have signaled strong opposition to Trump’s order, calling it out as a punitive measure against government workers. Similarly, state employees in Ohio are voicing concerns that DeWine’s move disregards the realities of modern work-life balance. Advocacy groups and labor organizations are preparing to challenge these mandates, arguing that they disproportionately impact caregivers, disabled workers, and those in economically vulnerable situations.

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