California launches accelerated hiring guide to save over 500,000 staff hours

California has introduced a new accelerated hiring guide following Governor Gavin Newsom's executive order to create a more efficient, effective and engaged state government. Developed with the California Government Operations Agency, the California Department of Human Resources and the California State Personnel Board, the guide aims to cut recruitment screening time by 80‑85%, reducing the average 23.6‑hour per hire workload. The reform is projected to save between 538,650 and 570,000 staff hours each year, based on roughly 28,500 state hires annually. Saved time will allow human‑resources teams to focus on faster timelines, deeper candidate engagement and better workforce planning, while preserving merit‑based hiring standards.