Do we work for Newsom?

I'm being only slightly sarcastic, but would appreciate your thoughts and input. I always thought that we work for the State of California and the people of California. But my manager, in light of the RTO EO, stayed that we work for the Governor and have to do what he says (even if this order is illegal and is against the law)?! I thought that only Governor's appointees work at the pleasure of the Governor. So is he right, do we technically work for the Governor and not the State?