President Donald Trump’s January 20, 2025, order mandated hundreds of thousands of federal employees full-time Return-to-Office, ending remote arrangements established during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, many returned to unprepared workplaces, facing dire conditions. At NASA headquarters in Washington, employees encountered cockroach infestations and worked in chairs without desks, according to two insiders.
Across eight agencies, 10 workers anonymously told Reuters about the disarray, fearing retaliation.
- Widespread Impact: The order affects 2.3 million federal civilian workers, many unaccustomed to office settings after years of remote work.
- Unprepared Infrastructure: Agencies struggle with insufficient space and resources, undermining the policy’s intent.
Workplace Conditions Deteriorate
Federal employees report chaotic scenes: fights over desks and chairs, internet outages, and inadequate facilities. At the IRS in Memphis, tax assessors in shared training rooms avoid phone calls with clients to protect privacy, an IRS manager revealed.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center sees staff taking meetings in cars due to overcrowding, while some arrive pre-dawn to secure spots, sleeping in vehicles.
- Resource Scarcity: The FDA warned its 18,000 employees of no guaranteed desks or parking upon their March 17 return.
- Health Hazards: Cockroaches and bugs in NASA facilities highlight neglected maintenance during hybrid work periods.
Allegations of Deliberate Sabotage
Critics, including governance experts and unions, argue the chaos is intentional, designed to force resignations and shrink the workforce.
Pam Herd, a University of Michigan professor, criticized the “move fast and break things” approach, noting a lack of planning for space needs. Over 100,000 workers have already exited via firings or buyouts, with more cuts planned, per administration data.
- Strategic Discomfort: Unions like the National Federation of Federal Employees claim the stressful conditions aim to drive quits.
- Political Backing: Trump and Elon Musk, his adviser, push efficiency, but workers say productivity is plummeting.
Agency Responses and Defenses
The Office of Personnel Management defends the order, emphasizing collaboration and accountability. A White House official praised the General Services Administration’s efforts to fix issues.
NASA’s Cheryl Warner downplayed complaints, noting only five facility reports in 30 days, swiftly addressed. However, an IRS manager in Washington was seen working on the floor, and another in California was assigned a closet.
- Official Stance: Agencies insist they have “adequate space” and are adapting to higher office attendance.
- Contrasting Reality: Employees’ firsthand accounts reveal a stark disconnect from official assurances.
Economic and Employee Fallout
Washington’s Mayor Muriel Bowser supports the mandate to boost the city’s economy, hurt by remote work’s tax revenue drop. Yet, workers nationwide suffer.
At the Department of Agriculture, staff battle for space as furniture is rearranged daily, while USCIS employees in Chicago worked from storage rooms.
The policy, meant to cut costs and fraud, instead breeds inefficiency, workers say.
- Local Benefits: D.C. anticipates economic revival, but national execution falters.
- Worker Strain: Anxiety and dysfunction hinder job performance, contradicting efficiency goals.
Note: We are also on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google News, and YouTube, to get the latest news updates, Subscribe to our Channels. WhatsApp– Click Here, Google News– Click Here, YouTube – Click Here, and LinkedIn– Click Here.
