Federal workers are experiencing chaos as the Trump administration’s new policy requiring all employees to return to office takes effect. The plan, which was announced by President Trump after he took office, aims to ensure that workers are doing their jobs while also potentially leading to more employees quitting.
However, many workers are facing logistical challenges, cramped conditions, and shortages of basic supplies. Some agencies have given workers weeks or days’ notice about the return-to-office requirement, while others have kept it a secret until the last minute.
Employees at various agencies are reporting difficulties in finding available offices, with some being told to look for any federal building within 50 miles of their home address. Others have had to pitch in on janitorial work due to contract cuts, leading to decreased productivity.
The return-to-office policy ignores union contracts that include remote work, and many workers are worried about being laid off or facing financial difficulties due to the changes.
As of May 2024, more than half of all civilian employees were already working in federal offices. However, the exact number of workers in the office full-time is unclear, as neither the White House nor the Office of Management and Budget responded to questions on the matter.
The policy is part of a larger overhaul of the federal workforce being driven by tech billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. While some employees are adapting to the new requirements, others are facing significant challenges, including disruptions to their workday and worries about job security.
“We’re seeing a lot of disarray in the workday, with workers worrying about being laid off and not being able to support their families,” said one employee. “It’s clear that the administration is trying to impose spending cuts and freezes on federal employees, but it’s coming at a huge cost to productivity and morale.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/us/politics/federal-workers-return-to-office.html