WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday mandating that federal employees return to the office “on a full-time basis,” effectively ending remote work arrangements for much of the federal workforce.
The directive instructs department and agency heads to “take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations as soon as practicable.” While the order allows agency leaders to grant exemptions as necessary, it marks a sharp pivot from current telework policies.
In a statement issued Monday afternoon, the White House framed the return-to-office order as part of Trump’s “drain the swamp” agenda. The statement claimed the mandate would enhance accountability and improve government services.
“President Trump is planning for improved accountability of government bureaucrats. The American people deserve the highest-quality service from people who love our country,” the White House said, adding that only 6% of federal employees currently work in person—a figure that clashes with federal data.
According to a report by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) submitted to Congress earlier this year, 54% of federal employees work fully on-site, while 46% are eligible for telework. Only 10% of federal employees—about 228,000—are in fully remote positions. The OMB report also noted that federal employees had returned to in-person work at rates comparable to the private sector by 2022.
Telework became a critical tool during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling federal workers to continue providing essential services while minimizing health risks. The Biden administration expanded telework options in recent years, emphasizing the value of hybrid work schedules to balance employee needs with agency missions.
Critics of the executive order argue that a blanket mandate undermines the flexibility that has proven beneficial for workers and agencies alike. Rob Shriver, a former acting director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), warned last week that “a one-size-fits-all approach” could negatively impact jobs best performed remotely.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal employee union, also voiced strong opposition, urging the Trump administration to reconsider its stance.
“Hybrid work has been so successful that many agencies have consolidated unused office space and sold off costly properties,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “Requiring a full return to the office may not only be unnecessary but also impractical, given the lack of available space.”
Kelley added that telework flexibility has been a valuable recruitment and retention tool in both public and private sectors, warning that Trump’s directive could have unintended consequences for federal operations.
As federal agencies prepare to implement the order, the debate over telework’s role in modern government continues to intensify, reflecting broader questions about workplace adaptability and employee productivity.
