The Trump administration has directed federal agencies to significantly reduce telework options starting in 2026, making clear that remote work should be allowed only in rare and narrowly defined situations.
New OPM Guidance Signals End of Widespread Remote Work
In guidance released Wednesday, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) emphasized that telework cannot be used as a way for federal employees to avoid working full-time, in person, at an official agency worksite on a consistent basis. The guidance also states that remote work may not be used to shorten the standard workday.
This clarification suggests that hybrid work models—now common across much of the private sector—will also be phased out across federal agencies under the new policy direction.
Executive Order Reinforces In-Office Mandate
The updated guidance builds on President Donald Trump’s executive order issued on January 20, which instructed agencies to take “all necessary steps” to bring federal employees back to physical offices and eliminate remote work arrangements.
According to data shared by OPM with Congress earlier this month, approximately 40% of federal employees participated in some form of telework during fiscal year 2024. The new rules mark a sharp reversal from that level of flexibility.
Limited Exceptions Still Allowed
While the policy sharply restricts telework, OPM outlined a few limited exceptions. These include accommodations for military spouses, employees with disabilities, individuals with certain medical conditions, and other cases deemed to present “compelling” circumstances.
Agencies are also instructed to allow situational telework for religious purposes. Examples cited include holiday observances, scheduled prayers, religious services, meditation, fasting, or other faith-based obligations that may require temporary flexibility.
Broader Effort to Reduce Federal Workforce
The crackdown on telework aligns with a broader push by the Trump administration to downsize the federal government. During this period, Elon Musk—then a close ally of Trump and head of the Department of Government Efficiency—publicly warned in February that employees who failed to return to offices immediately could face suspension.
President Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism about remote work, arguing that employees working from home are less productive.
“Nobody’s going to work from home,” Trump said in February. “They’re going to be going out, they’re gonna play tennis, they’re gonna play golf… they’re not working.”
Federal Workforce Sees Major Departures
OPM data shows that roughly 317,000 federal employees left their jobs in 2025, highlighting the scale of workforce turnover amid changing policies and expectations.
Agencies Previously Dependent on Telework Feel the Impact
Several federal agencies have long relied on telework to function efficiently. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for example, permitted remote work for nearly three decades. In June, the agency reported difficulties managing an application backlog exceeding 800,000 cases, citing in-office requirements as a contributing factor.
The Trump administration’s renewed push to eliminate telework represents a major shift in federal workplace policy. With strict limits on remote and hybrid arrangements, agencies are being reshaped around a traditional, in-person model.
While narrow exceptions remain, the guidance makes clear that widespread telework—once a defining feature of the federal workforce—is no longer part of the administration’s vision. As agencies adjust, the long-term impact on productivity, staffing, and service delivery remains a critical question.
FAQs
Can federal employees still work remotely in 2026?
Only in limited cases, such as for disabilities, medical needs, military spouses, religious obligations, or other compelling reasons.
Are hybrid work schedules allowed under the new guidance?
The OPM guidance strongly suggests that hybrid arrangements will be eliminated alongside most telework options.
Why is the administration restricting telework?
The policy aligns with President Trump’s belief that in-person work improves productivity and supports efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce.
Source: DanKaminisky
Source Link: https://dankaminsky.com/federal-employees-to-see-expanded-limits-on-telework/