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WASHINGTON (AP) — Upon returning to the Food and Drug Administration’s main office this week, thousands of employees encountered significant challenges such as overcrowded parking lots, extensive security lines, and makeshift workspaces lacking basic office supplies.
The FDA joins several federal agencies facing pressure to conform to the Trump administration’s return-to-office policy, which is part of a broader set of initiatives aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce. This includes a range of measures like job cuts and voluntary buyouts. Monday marked the first requirement for all FDA staff, including those at its sprawling campus located near Washington, to report back to their physical workplaces.
Interviews conducted by the Associated Press with several FDA employees highlighted an array of difficulties faced during the return. Long wait times not only for parking but also for security screening were reported, alongside struggles to find adequate workspaces and necessary supplies within an office environment that was inadequate for the entire workforce. Sources requested anonymity as they were not cleared to discuss the situation publicly.
One employee described the atmosphere as filled with “chaos” and emphasized the loss of productivity due to prolonged commutes and disorganized office allocations.
Approximately 10,000 of the FDA’s 20,000 employees—including scientists, lawyers, inspectors, and support staff—typically work at the White Oak, Maryland campus, which has a history as a former naval weapon testing site.
The shift to telework was widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the FDA had initiated remote working strategies nearly a decade prior. Prior to the current mandates, employees had enjoyed the flexibility to work from home at least two days a week, a significant advantage in attracting skilled professionals who might earn higher salaries in the private sector.
By early morning, most on-campus parking spaces were occupied, forcing some employees to leave their vehicles along nearby streets. Reports indicated that clearance through security checkpoints took as long as an hour, leading to images of long queues that stretched outside buildings and around the corners.
Once inside, employees faced a lack of essential furniture such as desks and chairs, with some offices inaccessible due to missing keys.
“Staff members are truly going above and beyond to navigate this challenging situation and continue their work effectively,” one employee noted.
In an effort to find basic supplies, employees were seen searching the campus for chairs and other necessary items. “People are even taking chairs from conference rooms,” mentioned one staff member. “We’re in dire need of supplies, so individuals are looking around all different buildings for simple items like notepads.”
Employees who managed to settle into their workspaces often found themselves in cramped conditions, sharing desks with colleagues from other departments, complicating calls and meetings. Photos provided to the AP depicted makeshift setups, with chairs and tables arranged in hallways and lobbies.
A spokesperson for the FDA acknowledged through an email that the agency is actively pursuing its return-to-office strategy to ensure that staff can fulfill essential public health responsibilities.
Compounding the situation, employees reported bringing their own bottled water due to ongoing concerns about Legionella bacteria, which had been detected in several FDA facilities. This issue has been under the oversight of the General Service Administration since the previous summer.
While FDA staff received assurances via email earlier in the month that the water supply was safe to drink, no detailed information about recent testing or remedial measures was provided.
Union representation for FDA employees, specifically Anthony Lee, indicated that their requests to meet with agency management regarding ongoing issues have not been accommodated.
When inquired about the water quality, a staff member remarked, “Honestly, none of us have tried it. After months of warnings about Legionella, most of us are hesitant.”
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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