In a significant shift for the federal workforce, President Donald Trump has issued a directive requiring executive branch employees to resume in-person work at their designated duty stations on a full-time basis. The announcement, outlined in a presidential memorandum dated January 20, 2025, marks a policy pivot from the remote and hybrid work arrangements that were widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The memorandum calls on department and agency heads across the executive branch to “take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person.” However, it does allow for limited flexibility, granting agency leaders the authority to make exemptions where they deem necessary. The directive emphasizes that implementation must align with applicable laws and regulations.
The move signals the administration’s commitment to restoring traditional workplace norms within the federal government, aiming to enhance collaboration, productivity, and public service delivery. It also reflects a broader national trend of businesses and organizations evaluating the role of remote work as the country emerges from the public health challenges that necessitated these arrangements.