The Trump administration has issued a new directive requiring federal agencies to implement plans for the return of their employees to the office. The directive, issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), expands on an existing executive order and asks agencies to determine permanent worksites for employees who have been working remotely full-time.
President Donald Trump 's administration has instructed federal agencies to execute plans for the return of federal employees to the office, including making arrangements for those who reside too far for a regular commute. The Office of Personnel Management ( OPM ) and the Office of Management and Budget ( OMB ) issued new guidance on Monday, expanding on an executive order for a return-to-office (RTO) for federal workers originally issued on January 21.
The memo specifically requests agencies to determine 'permanent worksites' for employees who have been working remotely full-time and outline the steps the agency will take to relocate these employees' duty stations to the most appropriate federal office based on their roles and job functions.While returning to the office might be simpler for workers living nearby, the memo also requires agencies to provide a justification for why employees residing more than 50 miles from existing worksites should receive relocation benefits. Agencies are tasked with developing plans to 'phase in the return of remote workers who are more than 50 miles from a current agency office,' acknowledging that this may present unique challenges. The memo states that some workers might be eligible for exemptions, potentially due to disability, a qualifying medical condition, or 'other compelling reasons' approved by an agency head and supervisor. However, OMB and OPM haven't specified whether employees living over 50 miles from an office would automatically receive or be considered for exemptions. The memo requests a response from agencies to OMB and OPM no later than February 7. OPM directed Business Insider to its initial guidance on the RTO mandate. OMB and the White House haven't immediately responded to a request for comment.Business Insider previously reported that some federal workers were divided on the impact of requiring a full return to in-person work. While some voiced concerns about the commute disrupting family life and childcare, others expressed willingness to adapt and gratitude for their employment. Alongside the RTO mandate, Trump also implemented a hiring freeze on federal workers and the OPM issued a separate memo requesting federal agencies to compile lists of employees who could be easily terminated. These actions echo Elon Musk's DOGE, a government efficiency commission aiming to reduce government waste. Musk previously suggested that reducing the federal workforce could contribute to this goal. Are you a federal worker with thoughts to share? Contact this reporter at [email protected]
FEDERAL WORKERS RETURN-TO-OFFICE DONALD TRUMP GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY OMB OPM
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