Trump vows mass firing of remote federal workers
WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES — President-elect Donald Trump has declared his intention to terminate federal employees who persist in teleworking, despite existing agreements that allow remote or hybrid schedules.
At a press conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, Trump emphasized, “If people don’t come back to work, come back into the office, they’re going to be dismissed.” This stance forms part of a broader strategy to reduce the federal workforce and eliminate telework options, potentially encouraging resignations.
Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley, under the Biden administration, recently extended telework options through 2029, a move Trump criticized heavily. He indicated readiness to challenge these decisions legally, describing them as “a gift to a union.”
Union and advisors respond
The American Federation of Government Employees countered claims of widespread federal telework, stating, “More than half of federal employees cannot telework at all because of the nature of their jobs, only ten percent of federal workers are remote, and those who have a hybrid arrangement spend over sixty percent of working hours in the office,” according to union president Everett Kelley.
Trump’s newly proposed “Department of Government Efficiency,” advised by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, advocates the removal of remote work options to streamline operations and reduce costs. They argue that mandatory office attendance will lead to voluntary exits, which they welcome.
Broader implications and criticism
The move has sparked a debate about the future of work within the government, with potential legal challenges due to conflicts with union contracts.
Unions have pledged to defend their rights vigorously. “We trust the incoming administration will abide by their obligations to honor lawful union contracts,” Kelley remarked. “If they fail to do so, we will be prepared to enforce our rights.”
In a related development, the U.S. Department of Labor has also adopted policies that restrict teleworking, mandating employees to be onsite at least five days per pay period by the end of 2024.
Glen Tsipursky, a hybrid work expert, argues that such policies betray worker protections and ignore the benefits of remote and hybrid work models proven during the pandemic.
Tsipursky asserts, “This perspective is not only outdated but also fails to recognize the complexity of modern work,” highlighting a disregard for employee well-being and productivity outcomes.
