Federal Workers Return To Office Chaos: No Desks, Wi-fi, Or Lights

Millions of federal employees across the country have been ordered back to office buildings, marking an end to Covid-era remote work policies. However, many have returned to unprepared workplaces, sparking frustration and concerns about efficiency and safety.

Workspaces in Disarray: No Wi-Fi, No Lights, No Desks

Employees at various federal agencies have reported returning to chaotic office conditions. At one Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) location, workers arrived to find no Wi-Fi and only partial electricity, making it impossible to complete basic tasks.

In a Dallas Department of Education office, employees encountered ethernet cables scattered across the floor, exposed wires protruding from walls, and malfunctioning motion-sensor lights that left workspaces in darkness. One worker even suffered a severe foot injury after tripping over cables, leading to a workers’ compensation claim.

A Department of Defense (DoD) employee handling sensitive information was forced to work in a shared conference room, making private conversations nearly impossible. When they were finally moved to an office, it lacked Wi-Fi, forcing reliance on an unreliable mobile hotspot.

“The only thing a return to the office has given me is an hour of traffic and a loss in efficiency,” one anonymous employee told CNN.

Trump’s Mandate: Return or Face Termination

The forced return-to-office (RTO) policy comes amid the Trump administration’s broader push to downsize the federal workforce. President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted on bringing all federal workers back in person, a move seen by many as an attempt to encourage resignations and streamline government operations.

“If they don’t report for work, we’re firing them,” Trump declared at a recent conservative political conference, even joking that remote work would improve his golf game.

Elon Musk, now serving as the de facto chief of the Department of Government Efficiency, has echoed Trump’s sentiments, warning that federal employees who refuse to return will face termination—regardless of union protections or prior telework agreements.

Too Many Workers, Too Little Space

The situation has been exacerbated by Trump’s simultaneous push to reduce government real estate. Several federal office buildings used by the Interior Department have had their leases canceled without coordination with officials, leaving many employees without a workspace. One major office housing hundreds of workers has been notified its lease will expire in June, adding further uncertainty.

The General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal properties, has faced criticism for failing to properly coordinate these office closures with agencies, leaving workers unsure of where they will be relocated.

Federal Workers Caught Between Efficiency and Uncertainty

Before the pandemic, nearly half of the 2.3 million civilian federal employees were eligible for telework, with 10% in fully remote positions. The transition back to in-person work is not just disruptive but also poses logistical and legal challenges. Many employees now face the dilemma of upending their lives or leaving their jobs entirely.

More than 80% of federal employees reside outside Washington, D.C., meaning the effects of this mandate extend nationwide. Federal employee unions argue that forcing workers back and breaking long-term telework agreements is unlawful. While unions have filed broader legal challenges against the Trump administration, the return-to-office mandate is not the central focus.

Union Pushback and Safety Concerns

Employee unions, such as the one representing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) workers, are demanding negotiations over RTO policies. Some employees are even filing individual grievances, citing fire and safety regulations that limit how many people can be crammed into a single space.

“Local fire and safety regulations—how many people can you jam into a room?” one EPA union official asked, underscoring concerns about overcrowding in downsized offices.

The Future of Federal Work

As federal employees navigate this disruptive transition, the debate over telework versus in-office requirements is far from over. With resistance from unions, logistical nightmares, and growing dissatisfaction among workers, the forced return may not achieve its intended efficiency boost. Instead, it could lead to a mass exodus of experienced federal employees, further complicating the administration’s workforce reduction goals.

For now, many federal workers find themselves caught in an unwelcome and chaotic return to office life—one without desks, Wi-Fi, or even functioning lights.