Watchdog: Probe into Govt Telework in Fear of Govt Workers Doing Less Work Than Ever Before

After its research, a non-profit government watchdog has called for an investigation into federal telecommuting practices. “dramatic reductions in paid leave used by the federal workforce” During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Before the federal government engages in expanded telework in perpetuity, its impact should be investigated more fully by agency Inspectors General, Congress, and other oversight entities,” the Federal Government Initiative (FGI) asserted Announcement of its findings.

Reports in May suggested that federal agencies did not track remote employees logging into their work computers. Senator Richard Burr (Republican from North Carolina) demanded answers from officials at the time. saying He was awarded “troubling information suggesting that up to one-third of the [Health and Human Services] employees are not logging onto their government issued computer equipment on an average day.”

Burr demanded explanations by Biden administration officials, which led to FGI conducting its research. FGI created its report on the use of sick and annual leave by federal agencies, using data obtained from 24 federal agencies via the Freedom of Information Act.

This is what the report revealed “[t]here was a steep decline in the reported usage of annual leave in 2020 at the 24 agencies FGI analyzed, and the trends did not fully return to pre-pandemic levels in 2021,” The report was as follows: The report stated that overall, annual leave usage declined 16% in 2020 as compared with 2018.

Although 2021 saw an overall slight increase in annual leave usage, many federal agencies still lag behind 2018 figures. Data on sick leave use during the same time period showed a similar decline in annual leaves. Some agencies experienced significant drops. The National Archives and Records Administration reported a 60% drop in 2020, compared with 2018. According to the group, the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities saw a 66% decrease in 2021 compared to 2018.

FGI reported that the Federal Trade Commission and Ex-Im Bank, as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission saw the biggest drops in sick leave over the two years.

FGI suggested that the FGI could offer work-from-home options. “provide an unintended financial incentive for some employees to hoard sick leave while still taking sick time unofficially under the cover of maximum telework.”

“As public confidence in the efficacy of the government to meet even its most basic responsibilities is eroding, data showing that federal agencies maybe be either unable or unwilling to account for time off actually taken by their workers can only further diminish public confidence,” The report was completed.

Georgia Republican Rep. Jody Hiice expressed Similar sentiments were voiced at a July 2022 hearing. They expressed concern that expanding work from home could shield low-performing employees and penalize successful workers.

“As we look at retention and recruitment challenges, we should not forget talented workers do not want a career picking up the slack for poor performers,” He stated. “The Biden administration has also moved to expand alternative working arrangements – telework and remote work – permanently.”

Hice claimed that while the Biden government had failed to address growing government inefficiencies, it was nevertheless moving forward with expanded telecommuting plans. 

“It is clear that the unprecedented number of federal employees working remotely has significantly contributed to massive delays, inefficiencies, and declines in performance – all to the detriment of American taxpayers,” He said it at the time. “Incredibly, the White House is now considering expanding work-from-home options for federal employees even before we have a clear picture of how it will impact Americans.”

He also launched A call was made early to explore the effects of telework within federal agencies.