King County to begin enforcing return-to-office mandate for county employees

King County’s mandate of in-person work for at least three days a week will soon become a requirement.

The mandate was first introduced more than a year ago but was never fully enforced. Now, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay has announced he will impose this mandate once departments have fully developed return-to-office plans.

While no concrete date was specified, executive office employees are expected to be the first to follow the mandate once plans are finalized.

“In conversations with department directors last month, the executive reinforced the three-day on-site expectation,” Karissa Braxton, a spokesperson for the King County Executive’s Office, told The Seattle Times. “Departments are now developing return-to-office implementation plans, with timelines that may vary between now and spring 2026 based on their operational needs.”

According to Zahilay, nearly three-quarters of the county’s employees have been working in person. But, according to a 2024 county audit The Seattle Times obtained, just one-quarter of desks at the county’s two main downtown office buildings were occupied on any given day.

Last year, King County Council member Reagan Dunn proposed legislation that would require most county employees to work in the office at least three days a week, emphasizing the need for a return-to-office arrangement.

“It is long overdue that King County follow through on its commitment to return to in-person work,” Dunn said. “Returning to in-person work will not only improve services to residents, it will also ensure the public’s right to see their government at work and what their taxes are, or are not, paying for.”

The legislation did not advance, but the mandate is expected to be more closely enforced under newly elected King County Executive Girmay Zahilay.

“The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which is separately elected, already has a three-day in person work requirement for prosecutors and leadership,” according to spokesperson Casey McNerthney. “Leesa Manion’s office was the first King County office with a three-day per week in-person policy starting in January 2025, with new prosecutors required in person four days each week.”

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