Big Federal Telework Changes May Be Coming — Here’s What to Expect
Recent developments in Congress and statements from key political figures suggest that significant federal telework changes are on the way. New legislation, known as the DOGE Acts, aims to reduce telework and return federal employees to in-person work at pre-pandemic levels.
One of the key proposals in this effort is the SHOW UP Act, which would require federal agencies to revert to 2019 telework levels within 30 days of the act’s passage. Additionally, agencies would be required to submit reports on how expanded telework during the pandemic impacted areas like customer service, security, and operating costs.
What Do These Federal Telework Changes Mean for Federal Employees?
President-elect Donald Trump has stated that he plans to remove federal employees who do not return to the office, calling current telework agreements “terrible” and “ridiculous.” His comments suggest a tough stance on telework flexibility once his administration takes office.
This shift comes just after the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) successfully negotiated a new agreement with the Social Security Administration (SSA), which allows 42,000 employees to maintain telework through 2029. If the SHOW UP Act passes, however, it could create conflicts between new federal telework changes and existing union contracts, possibly leading to legal challenges.
How Could Federal Telework Changes Affect Workplace Flexibility?
If enacted, the SHOW UP Act will not only impact telework but could also raise questions about labor rights, existing agreements, and federal agencies’ ability to manage workplace flexibility. The outcome could set the stage for future disputes that may require intervention from the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).
What’s Next?
For now, union members should stay alert and informed. The full article on this topic dives deeper into the potential consequences and next steps. You can read the original article on FedSmith here. Stay Informed on Federal Telework Changes With AFGE Local 17.
AFGE Local 17 is closely monitoring these federal telework changes and will continue to fight for fair and flexible telework options for our members. We actually just produced our very first podcast on the topic of telework. Stay tuned for updates as we learn more about how the DOGE Acts and the SHOW UP Act could impact your work environment.
