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In a decisive move on his first day as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 21, 2025, mandating federal employees return to in-person work, effectively ending the era of remote work for government workers.
The executive order, titled “Return to In-Person Work,” requires all federal employees to work full-time, five days a week at their respective duty stations. This sweeping change affects millions of federal workers across the nation, with implementation required “as soon as practicable”.
Impact on Federal Workforce
Currently, the federal workforce consists of approximately 2.2 million civilian employees, with current data showing:
- 54% already work exclusively in offices
- 46% are eligible for remote work
- 10% work fully remote
Opposition and Resistance
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal workers’ union, has expressed strong opposition to the mandate. The union is particularly concerned about:
- Existing collective bargaining agreements
- Impact on workers with disabilities
- Potential job losses
Implementation and Leadership
To oversee this transition, Trump has appointed key figures to lead the effort:
- Elon Musk and formerly Vivek Ramaswamy head the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)
- James Sherk, a former White House official, will return to the White House Domestic Policy Council
Financial Implications
The mandate faces practical challenges, including:
- Potential costs of reopening closed office spaces
- Budget implications for facility management
- Impact on federal spending
Looking Ahead
The administration argues this change will increase government efficiency and accountability. However, federal unions are preparing for legal battles, particularly regarding existing remote work agreements. Some agreements, like the Social Security Administration’s arrangement allowing 42,000 employees to work remotely, are set to run until 2029.
This executive order represents one of Trump’s first major policy implementations in his return to office, signaling a significant shift in federal workplace policies. The administration has warned that employees who refuse to return to office work may face termination.
President Trump's executive order ends remote work for federal employees, mandating in-person work five days a week. #workplacechange #federalworkforce #remotework #governmentefficiency #trumpadministration Share on XG
Urooj is a freelance writer of some repute, even if she says so herself. Her goal in life is to be published in every international magazine and visitor-load-weary website. She can be contacted at kaziurooj [at] gmail [dot] com.
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