Trump reverses remote work policy for federal employees
WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES — U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order mandating the end of remote work for all federal employees.
Announced on Monday, this directive requires federal workers to return to their offices full-time as a strategy to reduce the size of the federal workforce through natural attrition.
Details of the executive order
Trump’s order specifically instructs “heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch” to revoke remote work accommodations and transition to in-person operations “as soon as practicable.”
This move, while giving department heads the flexibility to grant exemptions where necessary, aims to streamline government functions and reduce its footprint.
Reaction and rationalization
Elon Musk, recently named head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), supported the policy in a November op-ed in the Wall Street Journal.
He stated, “Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome: If federal employees don’t want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn’t pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home.”
Meanwhile, hybrid work expert Gleb Tsipursky previously warned that the remote work ban could harm government efficiency and waste taxpayer dollars.
Critics also worry about morale among remaining employees. Increased workloads and diminished institutional knowledge could spark further resignations, creating a vicious cycle of inefficiency. Tsipursky notes this would likely ripple out to industries reliant on federal oversight, further straining state and private sector operations.
Impact on federal workforce
According to the Office of Management and Budget, approximately 1.1 million federal civilian employees, about 46% of the workforce, had been eligible for telework. Of these, around 228,000 had positions that were entirely remote. The policy reversal is expected to prompt resignations and alter the federal employment landscape.
Furthermore, the Trump administration has indicated plans to continue relocating up to 100,000 government jobs out of Washington, D.C. This strategy mirrors his first-term initiative, which saw the Bureau of Land Management’s headquarters move to Colorado, resulting in a notable reduction in staff.
