Federal employees are navigating new executive orders issued by President Trump that drastically alter their employment conditions. The mandates introduce a hiring freeze, remove job protections for thousands, and impose a return-to-office requirement, raising confusion about telework and disability accommodations. Following the orders, online searches for information surged, indicating growing concern among federal staff about their job security and work obligations. These measures signal a significant shift in federal employment practices, aligning with Trump's campaign promises to reform the federal workforce.
One longtime federal worker who has a disability accommodation that allows her to work from home said she had no idea if the in-office requirement applies to her. She cited a letter from top agency leaders that said they would consider "exemptions when deemed necessary." "I'm assuming that hopefully means me," she said.
The executive orders and memos strip employment protections from tens of thousands of federal workers, institute a hiring freeze, and give all federal agencies 60 days to shutter offices related to diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
The return-to-office executive order mystified employees and their supervisors, who are trying to parse whether it also affects telework, which is when employees who are based in an office work from home.
Monday night, Google searches for "federal workers return to office" spiked by more than 600 percent - with the most interest in the D.C. region, where 15 percent of federal workers are based.
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