Source: The Washington Post / Getty
Trump Orders Federal Workers To Return To Office, Ending Remote Work
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order mandating the end of remote work for federal employees, requiring them to return to the office full-time.
The order, titled “Return to In-Person Work,” directs agency heads to “terminate remote work arrangements” as soon as practicable, while allowing limited exemptions for specific cases.
Federal agencies are now tasked with implementing this directive, which affects the roughly 10% of federal employees currently working entirely remotely.
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), most federal workers which is 54% of the 2.3 million civilian workforce already perform their duties in-person full-time.
This policy will force the remaining telework-eligible employees to return to office settings entirely.
The administration argues the shift will enhance efficiency and reduce service backlogs.
Supporters of the order cite issues like missed calls and delays in public services, which they attribute to remote work arrangements.
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The announcement has drawn criticism from federal employee unions.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) labeled the measure a “backward action,” arguing that telework options are vital for recruiting and retaining talent.
They also warned that some agencies may now lack the physical office space to accommodate a full return to in-person work, given prior reductions in office footprints during the pandemic.
Union officials have also raised concerns about the potential violation of current collective bargaining agreements, which include telework provisions at agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Social Security Administration (SSA).
Remote work in federal agencies expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but telework options existed before that, often as a productivity and flexibility tool.
However, Trump has frequently criticized remote work, citing concerns over accountability and workforce discipline.
His move to end these arrangements aligns with broader Republican efforts to restructure the federal workforce, including the controversial revival of Schedule F, which seeks to reclassify certain civil service jobs as at-will positions.