It seems remote work for federal employees might be heading for a major shake-up. President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to challenge a recent agreement made under President Biden’s administration, which allows federal workers to continue hybrid telework arrangements through 2029.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening:
The Current Deal
- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) reached an agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to allow 42,000 employees to work a hybrid schedule, requiring anywhere from two to five days in the office weekly.
- This deal extends telework protections until October 2029, reportedly increasing productivity, disaster preparedness, and government efficiency, according to AFGE.
Trump’s Reaction
Trump wasn’t holding back at a press conference, calling the agreement “ridiculous” and “a gift to a union.” He signaled plans to take legal action to overturn the deal, stating:
“If people don’t come back to work, come back into the office, they’re going to be dismissed. Somebody in the Biden administration gave a five-year waiver of that.”
He emphasized that federal employees should return to full-time, in-office roles, aligning with the vision of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team.
Enter Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy
Leading DOGE, Musk and Ramaswamy have made their stance clear: remote work needs to go. In a recent op-ed, they argued that ending telework could reduce government spending by encouraging voluntary resignations. “If federal employees don’t want to show up, American taxpayers shouldn’t pay them for the COVID-era privilege of staying home,” they wrote.
What AFGE Says
AFGE President Everett Kelley defended the hybrid work model, pointing out that:
- Over half of federal employees can’t telework due to the nature of their jobs.
- Only 10% are fully remote, and hybrid workers spend more than 60% of their time in the office.
- The agreement is legally binding, and the union is ready to enforce it if necessary.
What’s Next?
With Trump’s administration preparing to push back, the fate of federal telework hangs in the balance. This could spark significant changes for how federal agencies operate—and for the lives of tens of thousands of workers.
What are your thoughts on this? Should federal employees return to full-time office work, or is hybrid telework the future? Hit reply—I’d love to hear your take.
