A new federal inspector general report released Friday has uncovered widespread noncompliance with federal telework guidelines during President Joe Biden’s administration.

The Office of Personnel Management report found over half of the reviewed government employees failed to meet in-office requirements, prompting a return-to-office mandate ordered by President Donald Trump, as the Washington Examiner reports

The report was published by the Office of Personnel Management’s inspector general on June 20, 2025. It followed a formal complaint lodged in August 2023 by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) who raised alarms about potential misuse of telework policies during the pandemic and beyond.

The investigation showed that 58.1% of federal employees reviewed did not meet in-office attendance minimums. Additionally, nearly one-third of employees had expired or absent telework agreements, and 15% had no formally approved documents on file.

Telework across federal agencies had surged by 528% during the Biden administration. Despite the initial shift to remote work in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees had not returned to office settings three years later, resulting in some federal buildings operating with just 25% or less of their physical capacity in use.

Officials cite weak oversight

Acting OPM Director Chuck Ezell addressed the findings Friday, blaming prior leaders for ineffective monitoring and enforcement of telework procedures. Ezell claimed a lack of oversight contributed significantly to the operational issues outlined in the report.

“Under the previous administration, OPM’s telework and remote work policies were mismanaged and oversight was virtually nonexistent,” Ezell said in a statement. “That era of telework abuse is over.”

He added that the Trump administration’s return-to-office strategy is focused on rebuilding trust and ensuring that federal workers are fulfilling their responsibilities in service of taxpayers. Ezell emphasized that steps have already been taken to restore in-person operations across agencies.

Ernst highlights transparency failures

Ernst spoke out about the report’s findings, reiterating that she had warned about federal agencies resembling “ghost towns” as a result of excessive remote work. She also aimed what she described as the Biden administration’s reluctance to provide full transparency.

“I exposed widespread telework and locality pay abuses under the Biden administration,” Ernst said, “that led to government buildings being ghost towns.”

Ernst further criticized the administration for delaying the release of relevant data, contrasting the Trump administration’s quick action and commitment to openness.

She claimed those responsible for overseeing telework guidelines during the Biden White House were themselves major offenders.

New administration implements in-person mandate

Upon taking office, Trump issued a directive on his first day requiring all federal employees to return to in-office work on a full-time basis by March 3. The move was part of a broader initiative to reinstate structural accountability in federal operations.

The order followed growing complaints about federal service delays and inefficiencies tied to remote work. Several critics raised concerns that prolonged telework contributed to slower response times for Americans needing government assistance and communication.

“Frustrated Americans are being put on hold while too many federal employees are phoning it in,” Ernst’s office stated, reflecting frustrations expressed during the height of unresolved service backlogs.

Federal telework trends continue to evolve

The OPM inspector general's report paints a stark picture of how emergency measures implemented for health reasons led to systemic gaps in telework.

Although COVID-19 triggered the original move to remote work, oversight was not adjusted as the pandemic environment evolved.

Under current efforts by the Trump administration, agencies are now reassessing staffing norms, revising policies, and restoring full in-person staffing for most federal jobs. Remote work options now require updated documentation and tighter oversight.

OPM officials say additional reviews may follow as part of an expanded inquiry into accountability practices from the last administration.

The telework issue forms one part of a broader campaign by Trump officials to reexamine federal practices they consider mismanaged under Biden.