A major backdrop to the discussion is the shift in work culture that followed the pandemic. Many federal employees transitioned to remote or hybrid schedules in 2020 and continued working that way even after offices reopened. In Washington, D.C., it has been reported that only a small percentage of federal workers have consistently returned to full-time in-person attendance. Supporters of a push to bring workers back into the office argue that government accountability, supervision, and teamwork are easier to maintain when employees are physically present. They point to empty office buildings as signs of inefficiency and wasted taxpayer dollars. Critics of this viewpoint argue that remote work has allowed many agencies to function smoothly, meet deadlines, and even improve productivity. They emphasize that modern technology makes many roles location-flexible and that performance should be measured by outcomes, not physical presence.
