President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 21, 2025, mandating that federal employees return to full-time, in-person work, effectively ending remote work arrangements that have been in place since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The directive instructs heads of all executive branch departments and agencies to terminate telework accommodations and facilitate the transition back to physical offices as soon as practicable.
This move has prompted concerns among federal employees and unions.
Union leaders have criticized the mandate, arguing that it could reduce government efficiency and negatively impact employee retention.
The executive order is part of a broader effort by the administration to reshape federal workforce policies, including a hiring freeze aimed at reducing the size of the federal workforce through attrition.
As federal agencies begin implementing the return-to-office mandate, employees and union representatives are preparing for potential legal challenges and negotiations to address the implications of this significant policy change.
