Telework can be a strong incentive tool for federal agencies looking to retain employees amid staff shortages in government offices, according to an annual report by the Office of Personnel Management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of those who telework frequently \u2014 either full-time or three to four days per week \u2014 68% intended to stay in their job. Comparatively, of those who do not telework, 53% would remain in their position, according to the data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe fiscal year 2022 [Federal Employee Viewpoint survey] also reports that individuals who teleworked more frequently were less likely to express a desire to leave or retire compared to those who did not,\u201d per the report published last month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite slight reductions in telework in 2022, more government employees became eligible for the flexibility that year. And of those who could, 87% participated in telework governmentwide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis report reflects a time period in which the vast majority of agencies began the year operating under maximum telework posture,\u201d said OPM Director Kiran Ahuja in a statement accompanying the report. \u201cWhile some agencies took initial steps to increase their in-person posture over the course of FY22, the data … continues to primarily reflect a pandemic-driven posture with reduced in-office presence by teleworkers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By now, the data is nearly two years old. A handful of agencies have since issued return-to-office mandates, meaning the policy landscape of telework has almost certainly morphed again. Just last month, the Department of the Interior <\/a>announced employees must work onsite more beginning February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Congress resumes business, bringing a definitive end to telework is likely to resurface as a legislative priority for Republicans. Meanwhile, unions and federal employees have said agencies cannot afford to cut back telework in instances where it has been effective because of ongoing staff shortages and lofty recruitment goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlthough evaluating the causal relationship between telework and performance may be challenging, several agencies identified this as a goal areal,\u201d the report said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A survey conducted by Federal Times of more than 960 federal workers found that half applied to a new job after agencies began initiating return-to-office plans in 2021. Of those who abdicated their government seat, more than a third said the ability to telework was the deciding factor, per the results. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t