What is your federal agency telling you re: RTO? (No other rants/comments!)

[Anonymous]

Did State Department remote work agreements force employees to waive relocation expenses in the event of a reassignment?

[Anonymous]

Officially, in writing, we were told management is reviewing the EO. We had a meeting with senior management today where they said RTO would likely happen in phases starting with senior leadership and then lower level management before moving to non-supervisory staff.

We don’t have enough physical space for everyone to return full time as my agency declined to renew the leases for a couple of its buildings over the past four years.

There is also CBA in place that covers most non-supervisory staff. Senior management said they are cognizant of that agreement, but didn’t elaborate further.

[Anonymous]

Most agencies will need a few days or weeks to review and consider implementation. I hope this isn’t the case, but we should all prepare for the worst: 5 days in the office, with limited or situational telework. The key question will be the effective date. Hopefully, we get some time to adjust.

This sucks, I know. For many of us, these new RTO policies will feel more restrictive than what we had even before COVID. It’s like being told to go back to faxing instead of emailing—it’s outdated and unnecessary. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s clear the American people voted for punishment of federal workers, and now we’re the ones paying the price.

Take the time to grieve the loss of the flexibility we’ve become used to—flexibility we earned and that wasn’t our fault to lose. The pendulum may swing back, but it might take a while. In the meantime, let’s focus on reclaiming control where we can. If your agency won’t let you telework for part of the day because of a doctor’s appointment or a sick family member, take the full sick day. If you need a mental health break, use your leave. Protect your boundaries. Go for walks. Whatever resistance looks like for you, don’t let Trump or anyone who resents federal workers steal your peace or your joy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've heard absolutely nothing.

Same. Radio silence.

Here, too. We don’t even have an acting director. Good times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:State - In the office except for “situational telework” starting March 1. Ending remote work by July (forgot the date).

Came out this morning. Crickets from my bureau “leadership” about any details. (I am not at Main State downtown.) We don’t have enough offices or parking for everyone.

I'm State and I haven't heard this. Maybe I logged off too early.

It was an ALDAC. I would have missed it too, but a co-worker (who is better at reading cable traffic) mentioned it to me.

[Anonymous]

It's amazing how so many people work remotely in the govt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's amazing how so many people work remotely in the govt

Amazing how productive people can be working remote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Officially, in writing, we were told management is reviewing the EO. We had a meeting with senior management today where they said RTO would likely happen in phases starting with senior leadership and then lower level management before moving to non-supervisory staff.

We don’t have enough physical space for everyone to return full time as my agency declined to renew the leases for a couple of its buildings over the past four years.

There is also CBA in place that covers most non-supervisory staff. Senior management said they are cognizant of that agreement, but didn’t elaborate further.

Which agency?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most agencies will need a few days or weeks to review and consider implementation. I hope this isn’t the case, but we should all prepare for the worst: 5 days in the office, with limited or situational telework. The key question will be the effective date. Hopefully, we get some time to adjust.

This sucks, I know. For many of us, these new RTO policies will feel more restrictive than what we had even before COVID. It’s like being told to go back to faxing instead of emailing—it’s outdated and unnecessary. It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s clear the American people voted for punishment of federal workers, and now we’re the ones paying the price.

Take the time to grieve the loss of the flexibility we’ve become used to—flexibility we earned and that wasn’t our fault to lose. The pendulum may swing back, but it might take a while. In the meantime, let’s focus on reclaiming control where we can. If your agency won’t let you telework for part of the day because of a doctor’s appointment or a sick family member, take the full sick day. If you need a mental health break, use your leave. Protect your boundaries. Go for walks. Whatever resistance looks like for you, don’t let Trump or anyone who resents federal workers steal your peace or your joy.

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:USPTO. Same—no one knows what’s going to happen. Just sit tight (at home) for now.

This is an interesting one since this agency effectively kicked people out of the office and has been VERY strict about telework every since all the controversies several years back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is there is a huge lack.of office space for full return to.office for government employees let alone our contractors which are contractually allowed to telework.
Our productivity using telework increased as well.

Will people please stop saying that? Seriously. Yes, some people will be more productive working remotely, but there will also be plenty of scam artists. You need to surrender the fantasy. For most people. remote work will soon be a distant memory, public and private sector alike. Stop with the "i'm more productive! My commute!" yeah, it sucks but deal with it.

At my office there are metrics that they track - specific work output per hours charged to the project. After we allowed the option of telework, the output improved. Are there people who do better at the office or better at home? Of course! But overall telework has been beneficial for my agency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:USPTO. Same—no one knows what’s going to happen. Just sit tight (at home) for now.

This is an interesting one since this agency effectively kicked people out of the office and has been VERY strict about telework every since all the controversies several years back.

Not really. Commerce doesn't have a politico in place yet. The career staff acting don't want to touch this.

USPTO does have a Trump lackey in place, but she knows how reliant they are on remote work. She's going to wait for Lutnick to bail her out. And he will, because USPTO is one of the few things this administration wants running.

[Anonymous]

My agency said, eff 'em. Business will continue as usual.

[Anonymous]

We have been told absolutely nothing about RTO, probably because most of the upper chain of command resigned and there have not been any acting people appointed by the Trump admin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rumor has it that State is making teleworkers go back March 1 and remote workers by July 1.

Not a rumor. Cable went out this morning. See post on page one of this thread.

The State policy allows for “situational telework” which has yet to be defined by bureaus. Stay tuned.

OPM has a clear definition of situational telework: not a recurring day each week. Must be approved by supervisor for each use.

I got rid of my situational telework agreement. My leadership never approved anyway, so at least I get snow days now.