Trump seeks to end telework for federal workers

Perhaps the actual number is immaterial. If the work is not getting done, the tax payers are not getting their moneys worth. I think most workers are doing a great job -- the few always spoil it for the masses.

The issue of teleworking for government employees is really no different than for civilian employees. Realistically it's up to leadership to determine positions where it may, or may not, be appropriate. Obviously some occupations require being physically at the place of employment, but not all. I think the post Covid experience of business carrying on as usual has proven that a blanket, all employees must be in the office, edict is neither realistic or cost effective.

A GAO report from summer of 2023* laid out the results of the study of the space utilization of the federal government office space. During a three month period in 2023 (Jan-Mar) when they looked at buildings from 17 different federal agencies, GAO found that an average of 25% or less of a building's capacity was used, and in six of the agencies (DOA, HUD, GSA, OPM, SBA, and SSA) less than 9% of capacity of utilized.

Last year the PBRB published a detailed Interim Report to Congress* which addressed many of the data gaps in the GAO report (primarily from lack of, or incomplete, reporting by the agencies). By utilizing the analytical methods from the commercial real estate market to determine occupancy they determined properties were being utilized between 2% and 26% capacity with an average of 12%.

There are plenty of government workers that are able to perform the requirements of their job remotely, however there are numerous instances of conduct that is either outright, or bordering on the edge of, fraud when it comes to telework.

I focus my (initial) ire at the leadership at the agencies. While I can't discount specific contractual language in certain employment contracts, by and large there is no entitlement to telework for a government worker. For many it is absolutely permissible, and even encouraged, but the decision on if particular work roles can be accomplished remotely lays with the leadership.

What leadership SHOULD be doing is establishing expected standards, implementing metrics to ensure those standards are met, and adjusting as necessary. This goes beyond telework, but is indicative of the problem. Very few agencies have proper procedures in place to ensure those that can telework effectively are identified and instead use a 'broad brush approach'.

Regarding Senator Ernst's report - there are 'those on the left' that will immediately dismiss any information coming 'from the right' and likewise for those on the right dismissing information presented by those on the left. People really need to develop (or at least dust off and start using again) the ability to critically think and stop shutting out information because they don't like what it is, who said it, or if it supports something they don't like (or detracts from something they do).

Like most things, I suggest people do their own research instead of adopting the talking points of some partisan commentator or politician.
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* GAO Report 23-106200 - Federal Real Property (Preliminary Results Show Federal Buildings Remain Underutilized Due to Longstanding Challenges and Increased Telework) - https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-23-106200

PBRB Interim Report to Congress (March 21, 2024) - https://www.pbrb.gov/files/2024/03/3.21.24-FINAL-PBRB-Interim-Report.pdf