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As members of the National Treasury Employees Union gather in Washington, D.C., for their annual legislative conference, Internal Revenue Service officials are reportedly finalizing plans to require all employees to return to full-time, in-person work within a week.
NTEU National President Doreen Greenwald addressed the union members, expressing concerns about the current administration and Congress, which she believes aim to reduce the federal workforce and undermine job security. She emphasized the important role that IRS employees play in maintaining government integrity, stating, “We are the whistleblowers who fight fraud and abuse; and we are the defenders of the freedom and security of our nation. We must stand together to advocate for our agency on Capitol Hill, within our agencies, and in the courts.”
After her speech, Greenwald highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the IRS’s adherence to a directive issued by former President Trump that aimed to curtail telework and remote working arrangements across federal agencies. While the IRS has not detailed how it will implement this directive, Greenwald affirmed the union’s commitment to enforcing existing agreements that cover telework conditions, despite a recent guidance from the Office of Personnel Management suggesting that such provisions may no longer be valid. She pointed out that only laws passed by Congress can override contractual terms.
“We have taken legal action against instances where other agencies have dismissed telework policies,” Greenwald noted, indicating that the NTEU has filed complaints and grievances to uphold their agreements.
However, shortly after Greenwald’s press interaction, IRS management revealed plans to require all employees, whether in the bargaining unit or management, living within 50 miles of an IRS office to report back to work in-person beginning on March 10, 2025. IRS Human Capital Officer Traci DiMartini and Deputy Human Capital Officer Max Wyche stated in an email that starting on this date, all employees who telework or have remote work agreements and are within the specified distance must conduct their full work responsibilities in-person from their designated Treasury office. They also indicated that existing telework agreements would be canceled accordingly.
Notably, exceptions to this requirement will be made for employees with reasonable accommodations due to disabilities, those covered by settlement agreements with the agency, or other specified limited circumstances.
DiMartini and Wyche emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration, asserting that working alongside team members fosters essential cooperation and mentorship. They referred to the presidential memorandum advocating for a return to in-person work as a guide for their approach.
IRS officials are also reviewing plans for recalling employees beyond the 50-mile radius from IRS offices, pending guidance from the Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget.
Prior to the announcement, Greenwald raised concerns regarding the feasibility of a large-scale return to the office, particularly given the IRS’s long-standing telework program initiated in the early 1990s. Many employees at the agency are accustomed to hot-desking arrangements, sharing workspaces with multiple colleagues on different days.
“Most offices simply lack the capacity to accommodate everyone coming back,” she pointed out. “We’ve previously allowed desk-sharing at ratios such as 3-to-1 or 5-to-1. If everyone returns, the question is, who gets to use those desks? We’ve heard about utilizing cafeterias and auditoriums to manage space, but these areas are not set up for productive work. The lack of necessary data connections and privacy, especially when handling taxpayer calls, is a significant concern.”
This return-to-office initiative coincides with broader discussions regarding federal property management, as some reports suggest federal leases are being canceled without due notice to the agencies involved. Greenwald noted that some agencies have learned about such decisions only after being informed by the property owners. She highlighted the legal requirements in the Taxpayer First Act, which mandates prior notification to Congress and the public before closing a taxpayer assistance center, stating that in some situations, this procedure has not been properly followed.
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