In March 2025, thousands of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employees were ordered to report back into the office, full time. Across the federal government, many agencies have ordered their workforce back into the office, revoking telework status that was often put in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, FDA’s case was unique in that it had been utilizing teleworking practices for more than a decade before the pandemic.

In a continuation of a return-to-office order, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued a memo ordering managers and supervisors to track the attendance of their employees to ensure optimal utilization of government facilities.

According to reporting from Federal News Network, recent data from Gallup reveals that federal employees are reporting major workplace disruptions at nearly three times the national average. These disruptions – ranging from increased turnover and hiring challenges to changes in mission priorities and workplace reorganization – are reshaping how agencies function.