Federal Remote Work Rates Drop Sharply as Office Return Policies Take Hold

The number of federal employees working from home has dropped to its lowest level since the height of the pandemic, according to newly released labor data for April.

The survey, part of the monthly Jobs Report, showed that 81.8% of federal employees said they performed no paid work from home, compared to 79.2% of private-sector workers. These numbers mark a notable shift toward in-person work within government agencies.

Only 8.9% of federal workers reported working “some hours” from home, while 9.7% said they teleworked all hours. This mirrors similar figures from the private sector, where 11% of employees reported partial remote work and 9.8% worked entirely from home.

These figures reflect a significant change from April 2024, when 68.5% of federal employees said they did not telework, and nearly one in five reported working remotely for part of their schedule.

The data suggests that recent policy shifts aimed at increasing in-person attendance among federal staff are having a measurable effect. New work guidelines have emphasized returning to offices, particularly for roles traditionally held in government buildings.

Efforts to streamline federal operations have been supported by new administrative leadership and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has promoted stronger oversight of work attendance and productivity. Officials have emphasized that returning to office work is essential for maintaining service standards and transparency within the federal workforce.

The shift has prompted discussions about the future of remote work in both public and private sectors. While some companies continue to offer hybrid models, government roles are increasingly reverting to on-site expectations.

Although remote work surged during the pandemic, especially in the federal sector, this new trend points toward a broader national recalibration of work norms.