Telework
GAO: Effectively ending telework increased attrition at Social Security
The government watchdog reported that the already beleaguered Social Security Administration is at risk of “losing many staff in the near term” as a result of the Trump administration’s push to excise the workplace flexibility from federal agencies.
Nearly all civilian Defense employees are back in the office, but watchdog says officials should better track telework eligibility
Employees who are still teleworking are mostly exempt from the in-person work requirement.
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Trump’s return-to-office mandate exempted feds with disabilities. Many are being ordered to work in-person anyway
Some agencies have put new conditions on granting telework as a reasonable accommodation for federal employees with disabilities.
HHS adds new conditions to telework for employees with disabilities
The Trump administration has sought to largely prevent federal employees from working remotely.
SSA is denying excepted workers’ time off and telework requests, seemingly defying shutdown guidance
Though OPM guidance states that agencies should seek to accommodate the needs of excepted workers during lapses in appropriation, employees who have fallen ill or simply can no longer afford to commute without getting paid have been labeled AWOL and threatened with discipline.
CDC ends telework for employees with disabilities, union says
Telework is a common example of a reasonable accommodation, which agencies are legally required to provide to workers with disabilities with limited exceptions.
CDC employees given 2 weeks to return to headquarters following recent shooting
Agency officials said that security has been heightened at the CDC’s Atlanta campus.
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OPM urges ‘generous approach’ to approving religion-based telework
A memo encouraging the approval of telework arrangements for people with religious reasonable accommodation requests comes as some agencies look to crack down on disability-based telework usage.
Internal Veterans Affairs memo shows plan to scrutinize disability work from home accommodations
A department press secretary said the new policy is to ensure reasonable accommodations remain "necessary, reasonable and effective," while the American Federation of Government Employees contended it would push employees with disabilities out of the VA.
OPM recommends telework, other flexibilities for D.C.-area feds ahead of military parade
The Trump administration previously took pains to end the regular use of telework by federal workers earlier this year.
The evolution of telework in the federal government: A cautionary tale
COMMENTARY | How early telework gains during the pandemic collided with post-COVID realities inside federal agencies.
USDA HQ employees told to work remotely so office building can house soldiers in upcoming military parade
President Donald Trump has sought to prevent federal employees from working remotely.
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Despite return-to-office deadline, some VA employees may still work remotely because there's not enough workspace
Veterans Health Administration employees who live within 50 miles of federal office space must begin working fully in person by May 5 if they’re not already, but agency officials said there’ll be leniency if there’s not enough workspace.
Some DHS employees told to send selfies to prove they are in-office as department suddenly ends remote work
Employees are not being promised a place to work, but must report to any nearby office and ask if there is space for them.
SSA cancels telework with just a weekend’s notice
Union officials said the sudden and indefinite suspension of most bargaining unit employees’ telework agreements amounts to a de facto termination, despite acting Social Security Commissioner Leland Dudek’s promise to honor labor contracts.
Veteran suicide hotline employees permitted to work remotely after concerns that in-office requirement would hurt service
One Veterans Crisis Line supervisor said the return to office mandate was creating confusion among staff, presented logistical challenges and could hurt recruitment.
NTEU leaders vow to fight amid IRS return-to-office mandate
Internal Revenue Service employees have just one week to prepare for the end of telework at the agency, as management disregards union contract provisions governing the workplace flexibility.
House Dems press administration on telework for military spouses
Although the Trump administration has issued guidance purportedly exempting the spouses of military service members from the president’s return-to-office mandate, lawmakers say some federal workers have heard differently.
EPA orders most workers back within weeks, breaking union covenants
The Office of Personnel Management previously issued guidance purporting to grant agencies the authority to disregard telework provisions in union contracts based on a blanket assertion of ‘management rights.’
OPM claims agencies can ignore union telework contracts
A new memo instructing agencies to cease enforcing union-negotiated telework policies under the guise of “management rights” could portend future assaults on collective bargaining.
Trump signs memo that claims to cancel late Biden-era union contracts
Although the president railed against collective bargaining agreements signed at the Social Security Administration and the Education Department shortly before his inauguration, it’s unlikely any of those deals will be upended by the measure.
