Feds Rushed to Return to Office: Trump’s Mandate Unpacked

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has given federal agencies a tight deadline to comply with President Trump’s order to return to the office. Agencies must revise their telework policies by the end of Friday and aim to be fully compliant within 30 days. This directive is a shift from the previous administration's push for a hybrid workforce. Confusion initially arose from the order’s terms, especially the distinction between telework and remote work. Telework involves partial on-site work, while remote work allows employees to work entirely off-site. The OPM memo clarifies that most teleworking federal employees should return to in-person work, with exemptions for those with disabilities or other compelling reasons. Agencies are required to submit their expected compliance date and notify employees of the change. Some agencies like the Department of Homeland Security have already started implementing the mandate. Currently, about half of the federal workforce works entirely on-site, and 46% are eligible for telework but spend 60% of their time in person. The Trump administration’s stance is that a centralized return-to-work policy is needed for better efficiency and accountability. Critics argue that telework has been beneficial for years, improving performance and recruitment. Many federal employees have expressed concerns about a one-size-fits-all policy and potential impacts on productivity and office space availability. Federal unions have pointed out that existing collective bargaining agreements may conflict with the mandate, and they are prepared to take action if needed.