The staff return to Scranton while Andy realizes that he wants to be with Erin and goes to Florida to get her back. Dwight manages to score the VP position however when Jim learns that Robert plans to veto the store idea and fire the VP rather than Nellie due to his liking for her, Jim displays his true caring for Dwight and saves him, letting Packer take the fall. An elderely lady Irene (Georgia Engel) takes her in as her maid. Erin meanwhile, upset at Andy having a girlfriend, realizes she has no future in Scranton and decides to not return with the others. Dwight and Todd Packer spar for the VP position while Jim tries to fend off Cathy's advances. The season's climax involves Andy sending a delegate of the branches workers down to Tallahassee where Special Projects Manager Nellie Bertram ( Catherine Tate) plans to open a chain of Sabre retail stores. Jim and Pam also have a second child however when Pam goes on maternity leave her replacement, Cathy Simms ( Lindsey Broad) shows interest in Jim and tries to woo him. She eventually becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son, however Dwight realizes to his shock that the baby is without a doubt his own. Angela becomes married to her boyfriend, Senator Robert Lipton (Jack Coleman) who everyone knows is gay except for her. The new foreman, Val, becomes Darryl's love interest throughout the season but is unable to be with her due to her boyfriend and her just believing they are friends- a similar Jim and Pam situation at the beginning of the series. Andy Bernard becomes the new Regional Manager of the Scranton Branch and much of the early episodes focus on him dealing with office crises such as encouraging the sales team to boost their sales to meet Robert's ridicoulous expectations and forcing Darryl to step up despite his apathy after not getting the manager's position and push himself to achieve after the warehouse staff quit. Applicant Robert California ( James Spader) was hired only for him to quit and manipulate CEO Jo Bennett to give him her job.

The season followed the lives of the office in its post-Michael Scott era.

Novak previously renewed his contract with Universal Media Studios through the eighth season. The series was renewed for an eighth season on March 17, 2011. The eighth season of The Office premiered on Septemon NBC, It concluded on and consisted of 24 episodes.

Watch the office season 3 episode 15