Civilian workers are frustrated with the return to office order. We demand employees be given the option to work from home remotely 100% or hybrid.

Joe Biden stated, “It’s time for Americans to get back to work and fill our great downtowns again.  People working from home can feel safe to begin to return to the office.   We’re doing that here in the federal government. The vast majority of federal workers will once again work in person".

We have been given more flexibility during the pandemic and now Biden plans to take that flexibility away. Gas prices and inflation are continuing to rise while we've shown that we're more than capable to work from home. Some of us have to take care of loved ones at home. Some of us live further away. Some of us are still worried about the ongoing pandemic. Some of us are concerned for our mental health.  Regardless of the reason, if the job can be done at home, we should be allowed to.

You can still carry COVID despite being vaccinated. The vaccine may protect the vaccinated from harsher symptoms but forcing people back into the office does not take into account loved ones at home. We have all lost loved ones during this pandemic, which is still ongoing. 

Aside from COVID concerns, why are we being forced to go back into the office? Those of us working remotely have carried out the mission for the past 2 years successfully. A study in 2020 showed that remote work increased productivity by 47% (Source: Forbes). We can support the mission better at home.