Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Andrew Ferguson has called for staff to return to full-time office work by March 3, ending widespread remote work practices. The mandate aligns with one of Donald Trump’s early executive orders, which aimed to streamline government by reducing staff, regulations, and budgets. Ferguson noted that telework, adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, had weakened the agency’s collaborative culture, making it difficult for new employees to learn effectively without in-person mentorship.
Currently, 79% of FTC employees work remotely three to four days a week, significantly higher than the 23% government-wide average. This raises concerns about potential staff resignations, which could undermine the agency’s heavy workload, including major litigation against Amazon, Meta, and PepsiCo. Former FTC attorney David Schwartz warned that Ferguson’s key priorities, including efforts to challenge Big Tech, could suffer if staffing levels drop.
Elon Musk, who chairs Trump’s government efficiency initiative, supported the move, predicting a wave of voluntary departures as remote work privileges are revoked. Similar return-to-office policies have been implemented in industries like banking and tech.
Ferguson assured employees that previously granted telework accommodations and collective bargaining agreements would be respected. He also announced plans to address challenges faced by remote staff and consider exemption requests in exceptional cases. However, critics argue that forcing employees back into offices risks exacerbating staff frustration and turnover, jeopardizing the FTC’s capacity to fulfill its mission.
The return-to-office mandate comes as the FTC faces mounting challenges and a full agenda, leaving some questioning the long-term implications of the policy on the agency’s effectiveness.
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