A new Senate report reveals that only 6% of federal employees are working in person daily, raising alarms about costs and productivity. The report, presented by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) caucus meeting on Thursday, highlights the expansion of telework since the COVID-19 pandemic. While only 3% of federal employees worked remotely full-time before the pandemic, a third now do so, according to the Washington Examiner.
The report details instances of federal workers abusing telework, including individuals found engaging in personal activities like running businesses, playing golf, or even committing crimes during work hours. Sen. Ernst criticized the current state of the federal workforce, noting, “It is more common for employees to be overpaid than to work in the office five days a week.” She emphasized the need for accountability, urging federal workers to return to the office and for performance to be evaluated more stringently.
Government services are also reportedly suffering due to telework. The report cites delays, unanswered communications, and service backlogs that negatively impact Americans’ lives. Additionally, federal buildings remain largely underutilized, with headquarters of major agencies averaging only 12% occupancy. Maintaining and leasing these buildings costs $8 billion annually, with an additional $7.7 billion spent on operations.
The government owns nearly 10,000 underused or vacant properties, prompting calls for reform. The report suggests a “use it or lose it” approach to federal real estate and advocates reducing telework, relocating employees closer to their offices, and implementing stricter monitoring of worker performance.
This report comes in light of the Biden Administration attempting to push a final piece of legislation which would solidify telework for 42,000 Social Security Agency employees.
Ernst, who is working with DOGE leaders and the Trump administration on cutting $2 trillion in wasteful spending, expressed optimism about enacting reforms. She stated her commitment to “disrupt the bureaucrat class and bring common sense to the capital.”
