Politics
January 29, 2025 07:00
washington - President Donald Trump aims to cut down on office-shy federal employees, demanding a return to full office hours, sparking controversy.
President Trump's Plan to Increase Office Attendance
President Donald Trump is pushing for a significant reduction in the number of federal employees, citing low office attendance rates. Only a small percentage of employees are currently showing up for work, with the Department of Energy reporting a 0% occupancy rate.
Approximately two million government workers received an ultimatum via email on Tuesday, giving them the choice to return to the office five days a week or face dismissal. Those opting for voluntary resignation will receive salary until the end of September, excluding essential services like immigration, military, and postal services.
Media reports suggest that five to ten percent of employees may opt for resignation, potentially saving the U.S. treasury around $100 billion. This move aligns with Trump's agenda to streamline the federal bureaucracy, although the broader implications of such mass layoffs remain uncertain.
An underlying issue is the long-standing absence of a significant portion of employees from physical office spaces. Remote work became prevalent during the pandemic, leading to deserted government offices. Even managerial positions were offered as remote roles in recent years.
Trump insists on reversing this trend, demanding that employees return to full office hours. The new White House spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, emphasized the importance of taxpayer-funded employees working from federal offices.
However, implementing this change poses challenges, as a Senate report revealed that one in three federal employees no longer commutes to the office, with only six percent present daily. This shift has caused a drastic drop in occupancy rates in Washington, with some departments operating at only twelve percent capacity.
The Department of Energy stands out as the most vacant, with a utilization rate of zero percent. Similarly, the Department of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and Labor also exhibit low occupancy rates.
In a critical move, the White House criticized Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, for setting a precedent of absenteeism in the Oval Office, potentially influencing employee behavior. The administration warns of job insecurity and possible relocations amid the ongoing downsizing efforts.
Republicans have expressed intentions to relocate federal agencies from Washington, viewed as a left-leaning stronghold, to regions with more conservative demographics. This shift aligns with efforts to realign federal services with the political landscape.