The Office of Personnel Management has recently issued guidance in response to President Donald Trump’s personnel memorandum instructing government employees to return to work in person. The guidance outlines that agencies are required to update their telework policies by 5 p.m. on Friday to specify that eligible employees must work full-time at their duty stations unless excused for reasons such as a disability, qualifying medical condition, or other compelling reasons approved by the agency head and supervisor.
Agencies are advised to aim for full compliance within approximately 30 days, with the possibility of exclusions based on agency discretion or collective bargaining agreements. The guidance emphasizes the need to enhance the efficiency and accountability of the federal workforce, a key objective of President Trump's administration.
The memo highlights concerns about the impact of widespread telework on government services, citing a decrease in productivity and challenges in supervising and training employees. It notes that many federal offices have been largely vacant due to the prevalence of telework arrangements.
