EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- One of numerous executive orders signed by President Donald Trump during his first day in office is the Return to In-Person Work directive ending regular telework and remote work for all federal employees.
The memo specifically requires department and agency heads of the executive branch to, “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.”
In a January 24 memo addressed to all DOD civilian employees, Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses stated DOD would comply with the president’s order within 30 days.
“The acting SECDEF basically gave us a map without directions,” said Deborah Perkins, 412th Force Support Squadron’s acting civilian personnel chief. “We have an idea of what’s coming and the timeframe, but we don’t know exactly when or precisely what it will look like until it reaches us.
“Supervisors shouldn’t take any action until we receive that specific direction from higher headquarters,” she said. “Just stand by and let your people keep doing what they’re doing. When we get the guidance, we’ll distribute it and ask everyone to act expeditiously to ensure compliance.”
“We’re not going to get ahead of the guidance, nor drag our feet in any way,” said Col. James Hayes, 412th Test Wing deputy commander. “We will start seeing guidance from [Air Force Material Command]…and then we’ll use our standard way of rolling up tasks through our normal command and control procedures to fully comply in a safe, thoughtful way.”
In a separate message published Monday, Air Force chief of staff Gen. David Allvin wrote, “From day one, I directed our Air Force to implement all directives outlined in the Executive Orders issued by the President swiftly and professionally – no equivocation, no slow-rolling, no foot-dragging.
“When policies change, it is everyone’s responsibility to be diligent and ensure all remnants of the outdated policies are appropriately removed, and the new ones are clearly put in place,” wrote Allvin.
The Salesses memo authorizes agency heads to make exemptions to the return-to-work order, but “must certify any excusal…based on compelling reasons.” Already exempt are employees with disabilities or qualifying medical conditions covered through the reasonable accommodation process.
Situational telework will continue for “weather-related emergencies, office closures, and other situations where telework serves a compelling Agency need,” according to the Salesses memo.