The Office of Personnel Management’s inspector general, Chuck Ezell, released a report this week revealing extensive misuse of remote work across federal agencies during the Biden administration. An audit of attendance records, timesheets, and telework agreements found:
- 58.1% of federal employees examined failed to meet their in-office work requirements.
- 29.7% had outdated telework agreements, while 21% showed documentation flaws.
- 15% were working remotely without any approved agreement on file.
The review cited weak oversight, management lapses, and potential fraud or negligence as contributing factors. Following these revelations, the OPM has implemented new internal controls and compliance measures to address the issues.
Late last year, President Trump issued an executive order rescinding broad telework permissions, mandating full-time in-office work by March 3, with limited exemptions. Ezell confirmed that the earlier abuses have since been curbed under the new policy.