Federal employees under the Biden administration exploited remote work policies with nearly 60% failing to meet minimum office attendance requirements, costing taxpayers millions while enjoying unchecked freedom to work from home—or not work at all.
Key Takeaways
- A government watchdog report revealed “rampant abuse” of work-from-home policies by federal workers during the Biden administration, with 58.1% of sampled employees failing to meet minimum in-office requirements
- The investigation found nearly one-third (29.7%) had lapsed telework agreements, 21% had paperwork discrepancies, and 15% completely lacked approved agreements
- OPM Acting Director Chuck Ezell acknowledged that “telework and remote work policies were mismanaged and oversight was virtually nonexistent” under Biden
- President Trump ended the abuse by signing an executive order requiring federal employees to return to full-time office work by March 3, 2025
- New internal controls and compliance reviews have been implemented to ensure federal employees are accountable to taxpayers
Widespread Remote Work Violations Exposed
A damning inspector general report has uncovered extensive violations of remote work policies by federal employees during the Biden administration. The audit, initiated following a 2023 request from Republican Senator Joni Ernst, revealed that over half of the employees reviewed failed to comply with basic telework requirements. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Inspector General identified “compliance failures and weak internal oversight” as the root causes behind what was described as “rampant abuse” of work-from-home privileges granted during the previous administration.
The investigation analyzed badging data, timesheets, and remote-work agreements of federal employees, finding that 58.1% of sampled employees did not meet minimum in-office work requirements in 2024. Even more concerning, nearly one-third (29.7%) had lapsed telework agreements, 21% had paperwork discrepancies, and 15% completely lacked any approved agreements—suggesting possible fraud against American taxpayers. The report indicated these violations stemmed from negligence, intentional misconduct, or a complete absence of management controls.
Biden Administration’s Oversight Failures
OPM Acting Director Chuck Ezell made no excuses for the situation inherited from the Biden administration, plainly stating the facts about the previous management’s failures. “Under the previous administration, OPM’s telework and remote work policies were mismanaged and oversight was virtually nonexistent,” said OPM Acting Director Chuck Ezell.
The extent of mismanagement revealed by the inspector general points to systemic problems that persisted throughout Biden’s term. Federal employees were essentially operating on an honor system with minimal accountability measures in place. This allowed thousands of government workers to collect full salaries while potentially not fulfilling their obligations to the public. The report focused specifically on remote work procedures rather than job performance, suggesting the actual impact on government services and taxpayer value could be even worse than documented.
President Trump’s Swift Action to End Abuse
President Trump took decisive action to address these abuses upon returning to office, signing an executive order to terminate remote work arrangements and require federal employees to return to full-time office work. “Take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements,” directed President Donald Trump in his executive order.
The Trump administration has prioritized restoring accountability to federal agencies by mandating that employees return to their offices by March 3, with only limited exemptions determined by department heads. This return-to-office policy is part of a broader effort to cut unnecessary government spending by reducing office space and staff while ensuring that federal workers are physically present and accountable for their duties. Acting Director Ezell made the administration’s position crystal clear when he declared, “That era of telework abuse is over.”
New Controls and Accountability Measures
Under President Trump’s leadership, OPM has implemented new internal controls and compliance reviews specifically targeting teleworking employees. These measures are designed to prevent future abuses and ensure that federal workers deliver value to the taxpayers who fund their salaries. The administration has focused on restoring in-person operations throughout the federal government, recognizing that physical presence in the workplace facilitates better collaboration, oversight, and service to the American people.
The transition back to office work has not been without challenges. Reports indicate some employees faced cramped workspaces and inadequate facilities upon returning, with understaffed cleaning crews and some workers bringing their own supplies. However, these temporary inconveniences are necessary steps in the process of rightsizing government operations and eliminating the waste that flourished under the previous administration’s lax remote work policies. President Trump’s reforms represent a critical return to responsible governance and respect for taxpayer dollars.
