Telework
Ernst’s report documenting telework ‘abuse’ obscures more than it reveals
The Iowa senator and head of a new caucus related to President-elect Trump’s planned government efficiency commission misrepresented key statistics regarding telework’s usage at federal agencies.
SSA, AFGE reach deal to lock in current telework levels until 2029
Union leaders said that for many, the workplace flexibility is the only thing preventing a mass exodus of overworked employees from the embattled agency.
Musk, Ramaswamy focus on slashing telework and federal employee attrition in initial meetings with Republicans
The government efficiency commissioners want to work with Congress to cement their reforms into law.
GSA begins process to reduce government’s footprint by 1.5 million square feet
The agency began the process to offload eight federal facilities across as many states as part of the effort to “right-size” the federal government’s physical footprint following telework’s expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Agencies credit telework with recruiting, retention gains, GAO finds
A watchdog report examining telework use at four agencies found best practices still need implementation, but the presence, or absence, of telework as an option has affected their ability to attract talent.
Trump’s ‘DOGE’ commission promises mass federal layoffs, ending telework
The incoming administration will handle large-scale RIFs with compassion, Vivek Ramaswamy says.
New Senate majority leader ‘excited’ to ‘dismantle federal bureaucracy’
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., also said that he is open to allowing recess appointments, which could let Trump bypass the Senate for certain nominees.
A new report includes calls for modernized federal recruitment and retention efforts
In an updated version of its 2018 report on strengthening the federal government’s organizational health and performance, the National Academy of Public Administration included the tools and best practices agencies can deploy for recruitment and retention in a post-pandemic world.
A Senate bill targeting teleworkers’ locality pay now has its companion in the House
Legislation introduced by Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., would bar federal workers from receiving locality pay if they telework at least once per week, a move that could amount to a 30% pay cut for many feds.
Updated
Labor Dept. to require workers to spend half of work time in-person, angering union
The National Council of Field Labor Locals said Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su shirked her collective bargaining responsibilities by reducing telework while the union’s negotiability appeal is still pending before the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
GSA’s coworking pilot could help better plan the future of work, but first, it needs to define long-term success
A new GAO report found that before the agency can further scale up the program to consolidate federal office spaces, it must find out how to measure its cost-savings gains.
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Republicans criticize EEOC over nixed one-day furlough
The agency said that no additional funding and a high pay increase for federal employees helped create its budget shortfall, but GOP leaders called it a failure to adjust spending.
Teleworking feds are spending 60% of their time working in person, OMB says
In a congressionally mandated report, the Office of Management and Budget rebuffed many common complaints by congressional Republicans about the popular workplace flexibility.
What should agencies consider for their remote work plans?
A new memo from OPM Acting Director Robert Shriver details specific factors agency leaders should consider when designing their remote work strategy for the federal workforce.
The General Services Administration celebrates 75 years as the federal government’s landlord
The agency is central to efforts to promote green buildings and right-size the federal real estate portfolio.
Gen Z is underrepresented in the federal workforce. Here’s how some experts would fix that
People younger than 30 represent 7% of the full-time civil service despite being 20% of the overall U.S. labor force.
Biden administration pledges to help agencies offload more federal buildings
The government's real estate czar calls the post-pandemic building underutilization "concerning," but warns agencies will have to spend money to save money.
Burnout among government workers is decreasing but still high, according to new pulse survey data
Leader of the consulting firm that sponsored the poll says the burnout rate could cause public employees to leave their jobs.
Put the telework debate to rest by focusing on productivity
COMMENTARY | Civil servants say telework improves productivity, but Congress wants data to prove it. Here’s one way OMB can reconcile the differences.
IRS is reducing its physical footprint but needs a better long-term plan, its IG says
The IRS has reduced its office space by 2 million square feet since fiscal 2018, but the watchdog said it could save millions in real estate costs with additional steps.
