Washington D.C. – Federal workers who returned to the office after months of remote work were greeted with a surprising welcome. Contrary to expectations, employees in the Office of Personnel Management were met with balloons, candy, and handshakes from their managers.
The move comes amid significant downsizing efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration, including billionaire Elon Musk, to slash federal workforce spending. The layoffs have affected thousands of workers, with at least 100,000 taking buyouts or being fired since the creation of a new cost-cutting agency.
Many workers in the Office of Personnel Management were previously allowed to work remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, under new orders, they must now report for work within 50 miles of Washington D.C. The agency’s acting administrator, Chuck Ezell, and chief of staff, Amanda Scales, welcomed back OPM workers in a gesture that has been described as “tone-deaf” and “mean-spirited” by some employees.
OPM spokesperson McLaurine Pinover defended the welcome-back effort, saying it was meant to make the workplace an engine for public service excellence. However, many employees expressed disappointment and frustration with the reception, feeling that their sacrifices and dedication during the pandemic were not acknowledged or respected.
The downsizing efforts have sparked controversy, with thousands of termination notices issued in multiple government agencies in recent days. The civilian federal employee number stands at approximately 2.3 million, highlighting the significant impact on public services and essential workers.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/remote-federal-workers-washington-greeted-with-balloons-candy-amid-layoffs-2025-03-03