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- The VA is mandating in-office work for many federal employees by the end of February, with exceptions.
- This change could affect around 20% of the almost 2,800 Utah VA workers.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced all federal employees will be required to work from the office starting this month, with some exceptions, as part of a push by President Donald Trump for all executive branch departments.
Over 20% of the VA's 479,000 employees have arrangements allowing for full-time telework or hybrid schedules, according to a press release sent out Monday.
Acting VA Secretary Todd Hunter called the move "a commonsense step toward treating all VA employees equally," and said things like productivity and collaboration will improve with everyone in the office, since "VA clinical staff don't have the luxury of working remotely."
The announcement from Washington follows President Trump's memorandum on Jan. 20, which said, "All departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis."
The VA Salt Lake City reports having 2,739 employees in 2021. If remote work rates are in line with the national statistics given, this announcement would affect over 500 workers across the state.
No information could be provided immediately about current Utah VA staffing numbers or telework arrangements. It is also unclear at this time if the serious flooding at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City will affect the local timeline for staff returning to office.
Exceptions, such as disability, qualifying medical condition, or other compelling reasons, will be allowed, according to the release.
As part of the new policy, telework agreements will be terminated by Feb. 24 for:
- Political appointees, senior executive service members and equivalents, senior level and scientific and professional employees.
- Supervisors with current official duty stations within 50 miles of an agency facility.
By April 28, nonbargaining unit employees with current official duty stations within 50 miles of an agency facility will have to return to the office. Bargaining unit employee agreements haven't been announced yet.
Shifts away from hybrid and telework arrangements are part of a larger makeover of the U.S. government by Trump. Tuesday, federal employees received communications urging them to quit "lower productivity jobs" jobs and seek employment in the private sector. Monday, Elon Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency, announced work is underway to shut down the U.S. foreign aid agency USAID, which employs more than 10,000 people.
This story may be updated.
