Federal workers defy Biden’s work-from-home order, and some may not be working at all.
A Republican Senator Demands Investigation into Remote Work Impact on Taxpayers
A Republican senator is raising concerns about the continued prevalence of remote work among federal employees, even as the coronavirus pandemic subsides. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is demanding an investigation into how this widespread failure to return to the office is affecting taxpayers.
“It’s not fair to let the responsibilities of running an agency—and the country—fall on the shoulders of the hardworking public servants who are showing up while others are out golfing on the taxpayer’s dime.”
Ernst questions the government’s claims that remote workers can be just as productive as those working in the office. She cites various inspector general reports, including one that uncovered a Department of Commerce employee who was paid for 730 hours of work but spent that time “playing golf, shooting pool, and going to happy hour.”
President Joe Biden had promised that the majority of federal workers would return to in-person work, but as of now, only 5% of government employees are back in the office on a typical day. White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients has reiterated the call for a return to the office, emphasizing that it is a priority for the Biden administration.
There are indications that some federal employees working remotely may not be working at all. A review of Department of Health and Human Services remote employees found that up to 30% did not even log in to the agency’s email or computer systems on days they were supposed to be working from home.
In addition to concerns about productivity, Ernst highlights the financial implications of remote work for the government. Federal agencies spend billions of dollars on office space and maintenance, with a significant portion of that space going unused. The government also pays employees based on the location of their office, even if they live in a lower-cost area. Ernst believes these pay determinations should be re-evaluated to save taxpayers money.
Ernst has sent a letter to every agency’s Inspector General, requesting an investigation into the regions where employees spend most of their time and the additional pay they receive based on the cost-of-living area of the headquarters building. She also wants to assess how remote work has affected various metrics, such as service delivery and wait times.
As part of her efforts to address these issues, Ernst has introduced the SWAMP Act, which aims to relocate agency headquarters to regions with relevant expertise. For example, the Department of Agriculture would be located in a farming state like Iowa.
Instances of absent employees in government agencies have already led to criticism and negative consequences. At the Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, a manager responsible for scheduling posted a picture of himself “working” in a bubble bath, sparking outrage from another employee and highlighting the long wait times for medical care.
Ernst believes it is crucial to address these concerns and ensure that federal employees are fulfilling their responsibilities to the American people.
Related: Thousands Of Pandemic Unemployment Claims Listed The Names Of Still-Employed Government Workers, Senator Says
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