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Federal agencies have been given a two-week deadline to formulate plans aimed at ensuring a maximum number of employees are physically present at their designated offices or duty stations. This directive was issued by the Trump administration, which urged agency leaders to swiftly adhere to the president’s order to reduce telework.
These plans must include a thorough examination of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) to understand the process of reintegrating unionized employees back into their workplaces. Many of these employees currently benefit from telework arrangements that are protected under contracts. The review will consider how these agreements were established during the Biden administration, raising questions about the legal avenues available to Trump’s team for adjusting these contracts.
The new guidance released by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) comes in the wake of President Trump’s recent assertion that federal workers who fail to report to work full-time will face termination. “You have to show up to work, basically,” Trump emphasized. “You have to go to your office and work. Otherwise, you’re not going to have a job.”
As part of their compliance efforts, agencies had already communicated with their employees regarding intentions to return to in-person work. For example, acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian from the General Services Administration expressed a commitment to fully implementing the new policy within a month and is forming a task force to assess physical workspace and IT requirements. His aim is to create a collaborative and enjoyable work atmosphere across all locations.
Ehikian noted that the agency’s telework policy is undergoing revision to align with the new directives, which significantly limit remote work options unless exceptional circumstances are present. Other government agencies have sent similar communications to their employees.
Under the guidance from OMB and OPM, only individuals with disabilities, recognized medical conditions, or other compelling reasons validated by the agency head will be exempt from the in-person work requirement. This directive does not consider employees covered under telework-protective CBAs as exempt.
The agency implementation plans, which are due by February 7, will outline the process for modifying telework agreements, include a timeline for transitioning to in-person work as swiftly as feasible, present procedures for verifying medical conditions that justify remote work, and define criteria for other exemptions. Agencies will also assess the costs associated with accommodating employees who have shifted to remote work and whether relocation benefits are applicable for those needing to move beyond a 50-mile radius. Additionally, federal agencies are instructed to utilize federally owned or leased spaces for employees returning to the office, though some might find it necessary to acquire new office space.
In recent years, government agencies have adapted their workspaces to reflect a lower demand for in-person attendance, including the establishment of “hoteling” arrangements for desk usage and experimenting with interagency coworking environments. However, the current mandate may require a reconfiguration of these setups to facilitate full-time on-site work.
OPM and OMB have also directed agencies to identify potential risks, impediments, or resource challenges in complying with this directive, including assessing office space availability and budgetary limitations, along with strategies to address these issues.
While the use of telework has generally expanded among federal agencies since the 2010 Telework Enhancement Act, it surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike Trump, many congressional Republicans have focused on reverting telework to pre-pandemic levels instead of seeking to eliminate it altogether.
Despite claims of widespread telework, its application within the federal government is not universal. Recent reviews conducted by OMB indicate that approximately 80% of federal work hours are currently spent in-person, with more than half of federal employees unable to telework due to the nature of their positions. On average, those who do utilize telework spend about 60% of their work hours on site.
According to the administration’s latest guidance, agencies are advised to prioritize physical attendance for staff at headquarters. For employees stationed over 50 miles from their agency offices, the guidance recognizes that unique challenges may arise. The administration also stresses that staff with similar job functions should, whenever possible, work collaboratively within shared spaces to enhance efficiency and management.
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