Washington, D.C.’s downtown remains desolate as federal employees continue working remotely in significant numbers, long after the end of pandemic lockdowns. With government workers making up a third of downtown jobs, this shift has left offices empty, storefronts shuttered, and businesses struggling to stay afloat. Both Washington’s Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser and Republican lawmakers have called on the Biden administration to bring federal employees back to the office to revitalize the city’s economy and address service-related complaints.
Incoming President Donald Trump has vowed to reduce unnecessary staffing, so these employees might not have any jobs in the near future. Elon Musk, who will head up the government’s new Department of Government Efficiency, made headlines after he took over Twitter, changing it to X, laying off employees and forcing remote workers to show up at the office.
The telework trend has sparked political conflict, with Republicans blaming remote work for long customer service wait times at agencies like the IRS and Social Security Administration. However, federal agencies argue that staffing shortages and the pandemic, not telework, are responsible for these issues. Recent data on federal telework rates is limited, but the Office of Personnel Management reported that 47% of federal employees were teleworking in 2021. Calls for change include the GOP’s “SHOW UP Act,” which seeks to mandate office attendance, though it faces opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Local businesses are feeling the brunt of empty offices, with shops like the 84-year-old Bensons Jewelers shutting down due to a lack of foot traffic. A Cushman & Wakefield report found that only 5% of federal employees in leased government offices in Washington had swiped their keycards on average workdays in late 2022. The ripple effects extend to commercial real estate and public transit, as reduced ridership and office vacancies threaten the city’s economic stability.
Federal employee unions argue against a return-to-office mandate, emphasizing that remote work has improved recruitment, retention, and efficiency. For example, remote work has expanded job applications from diverse groups, including military spouses and rural residents, and helped reduce backlogs, such as the National Archives’ processing of veterans’ records. Unions contend that forcing workers back into offices primarily benefits local businesses, not the federal mission of serving the public.
Experts suggest that a hybrid model, combining remote work with in-person collaboration, may offer the best solution. Research indicates that remote work can boost productivity, while periodic in-office time fosters creativity and teamwork. However, rigid return-to-office mandates could raise costs, disrupt employee satisfaction, and lead to talent loss. As Washington’s downtown struggles to recover, the balance between telework and economic recovery remains a contentious issue for city leaders and federal policymakers alike.
The move is in defiance of a law introduced by House Republicans called the “Show Up Act”.
The SHOW UP Act, formally known as the Stopping Home Office Work’s Unproductive Problems Act, is proposed legislation introduced by House Republicans in 2023 aimed at mandating a return to in-person work for federal employees. The act seeks to roll back pandemic-era telework policies, requiring federal agencies to reinstate pre-pandemic office attendance rules.
Proponents of the SHOW UP Act, including Representative James Comer, argue that remote work has negatively impacted government efficiency and public services, citing issues such as long wait times at the IRS, Social Security Administration, and veterans’ services. They claim that requiring federal employees to return to the office will improve productivity and accountability while addressing customer service complaints.
Critics of the legislation, including federal employee unions, argue that telework has been highly successful in increasing productivity, reducing costs, and helping recruit and retain a more diverse workforce. They contend that forcing employees back into offices would disrupt these benefits and unnecessarily prioritize downtown businesses over the public service mission of government agencies.
The SHOW UP Act was one of the first bills passed by the Republican-led House of Representatives in 2023. However, it faces significant opposition in the Democratic-controlled Senate and from the Biden administration, making its enactment into law uncertain.
The act reflects broader debates over the future of remote work and its role in government, private businesses, and economic recovery in urban areas. It has become a focal point in discussions about balancing employee flexibility, service quality, and the economic health of cities reliant on office-based workforces.