WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Only 6% of federal workers are in offices full-time, according to a recent Senate report, which outlines how much federal workplaces have changed since the pandemic. Underutilized office spaces remain an issue, as some agencies reported building occupancy rates under 25%, according to the report.
Before the pandemic, telework represented a small portion of federal operations. But the adoption of remote work accelerated in response to COVID-19. Today, one-third of federal workers operate fully remotely, and most others follow hybrid schedules. Lawmakers have responded with scrutiny, arguing that excessive telework may compromise productivity and accountability.
This study has reopened debates on telework policies. Critics claim that it is costing taxpayers billions of dollars every year to maintain huge, unused office spaces. Another concern for lawmakers is that locality pay adjustments tend to favor employees in expensive localities regardless of whether they are working from home. Some of the proposed legislative changes would be to change locality pay and tighten the telework benefits to entice more people to go back to offices.
Advocates of telework argue for its advantages, such as achieving better work-life balance, increased productivity, and reduction in cost for both employees and the government. They argue that physical presence should not be mixed with job performance. The present performance management systems are in place to handle accountability issues about teleworkers.
This debate comes at a time when federal agencies are trying to balance operational efficiency with changing workforce expectations. As Congress considers reforms, the future of telework in the federal government remains uncertain, with potential implications for millions of workers.
