- Trump orders government workers to return to full-time jobs
- Federal workers will have weakened labor protections
- Resignations and staff changes are expected
US government officials have been mandated to return to the office full-time under new Trump leadership, marking the end of hybrid and flexible work setups.
Tech companies have widely implemented office work policies, ranging from three to five days a week, in recent years after pandemic-induced remote options, and now it’s the US government’s turn to do the same.
Trump’s new policy, implemented on the day of his inauguration, will require US federal workers to return to offices in person working full time.
Trump grants full-time RTO to government workers
A brief statement reads: “The heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to end remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work.” in person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that department and agency heads make such exemptions as they deem necessary.”
The new President has also reinstated so-called Schedule F “immediately” and “in full force and effect,” effectively weakening job protections for public officials.
Critics argue the move could help Trump replace certain employees with a more loyal workforce. The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents federal government employees, has already gone to federal court in Washington to sue Trump (via PakGazette).
Additionally, the hiring freeze and formation of the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, will further impact the size and composition of the federal government.
Musk is also a fan of in-person work: In a statement to Tesla employees, he stated that remote work was “no longer acceptable.” Voluntary resignations are predicted across all government agencies as a result of the latest changes led by Trump and, possibly, Musk.
