Incoming Trump administration advisers Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are proposing to end remote work for federal workers, calling it a pandemic-era “privilege” that should be eliminated. They argue that requiring federal employees to work in the office five days a week would lead to voluntary terminations, ultimately reducing the federal workforce. Currently, about 46% of federal civilian employees are eligible for telework, with 10% working remotely without any in-person requirements.
Musk and Ramaswamy, who lead what could potentially become a Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration, have suggested various ways to cut federal jobs, including large-scale firings and relocating federal agencies out of Washington D.C. They have also proposed ideas for reducing federal spending and repealing government regulations, citing recent Supreme Court rulings as justification.
The two tech industry figures have faced criticism from some unionized federal workers who have accused them of not understanding how the federal workforce operates. Despite this, Musk and Ramaswamy are advocating for policies that they believe will streamline government operations and save taxpayer money.
Musk, known for his companies Tesla and SpaceX, has implemented a strict return-to-office policy for his employees, requiring them to work on site for a minimum of 40 hours per week. As the debate over remote work continues in the private sector, Musk and Ramaswamy are pushing for similar changes in the federal government.
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