President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that federal employees are required to return to in-person work by early February or risk termination. This directive is part of a broader initiative by the new administration aimed at reducing remote work among federal employees.
During a press briefing at the White House, shortly before signing the immigration-focused Laken Riley bill into law, Trump stated, “We’re requiring them to show up to work or be terminated.”
His comments followed an email sent by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to approximately 2 million federal employees, offering buyout options for those unwilling to return to the office. Employees have until February 6 to decide whether to accept these buyouts, with the majority expected to work in-person five days a week.
For those opting not to continue their roles in person, the OPM indicated that they would be provided a “dignified, fair departure from the federal government utilizing a deferred resignation program.”
Additionally, employees who choose to resign will retain all pay and benefits, and they will be exempt from in-person work requirements until September 30, 2025.
Trump expressed confidence in the plan, suggesting that a significant number of employees might opt not to return, which he believes would lead to a smaller and more efficient government. “And that’s what we’ve been looking to do for many, many decades,” he added.
In a related note, Trump mentioned that federal employees might be required to “prove” they did not hold other jobs during their remote work period. This assertion raises concerns, especially considering that an estimated 8.6 million U.S. residents, or about 5.2% of the workforce, are reported to work multiple jobs, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Trump remarked, “We may ask these people to prove that they didn’t have another job during their so-called employment with the United States of America, because if they did, that would be unlawful.” He further noted, “A lot of people are getting paychecks, but they’re actually working other jobs, so they’ll have to prove that to us that they weren’t.”
This announcement marks a significant shift in federal employment policy and reflects ongoing discussions in Congress regarding government telework. The House Oversight Committee is set to address this issue in its first hearing of the new Congress.