The Pentagon’s surprisingly forward-thinking shift toward remote work

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and shifting work paradigms, the Department of Defense stands at the forefront of a significant transformation within the federal landscape.

This transformation, deeply rooted in the embrace of remote work and telework, is unfolding against a backdrop of political debates and bureaucratic challenges, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of workplace cultures within federal agencies.

The discourse surrounding telework in the federal domain has been notably politically charged, characterized by attacks from Republicans. The recent letter from House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), to the Office of Management and Budget is illustrative. It highlights concerns regarding the public’s perception of federal employees not following the directives to spend more time in the office.

Comer demanded “a status report on all agency plans to increase in-person work, to include an implementation timeline and an explanation of any obstacles that have impeded such efforts.”

Responding to pressure from Republicans, the Biden administration, through figures such as White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, has flip-flopped from its former tolerance of telework as a tool for retention and recruitment of federal staff. Instead, it increasingly advocates for a recalibration of federal work environments toward more in-person engagement. Zients, for instance, recently sent an email to agency heads, urging them to develop and monitor concrete plans to increase office presence.

Amid these broader conversations, the Pentagon’s recent update to its telework policy emerges as a beacon of progressive thought and adaptability — surprising for an agency perceived as conservative and traditionalist. This policy revision, the first since 2012, is a testament to the DoD’s commitment to learning from the pandemic-induced shifts in work norms and integrating those lessons into a forward-looking approach to workplace flexibility. By clearly distinguishing between telework and remote work, the Department of Defense has laid down a framework that offers flexibility while maintaining a clear focus on the exigencies of its mission-critical functions.

The essence of the Defense Department’s policy is its permissive nature, which actively encourages components within the department to promote telework and remote work. This approach is not merely about offering flexibility for flexibility’s sake — it is a strategic move aimed at enhancing the Defense Department’s operational efficiency, recruitment capabilities and employee retention.

The policy’s emphasis on education and training to mitigate barriers to effective telework implementation further highlights the department’s proactive stance in building a resilient and adaptable workforce equipped to meet the demands of the future.

The strategic ramifications of this policy extend well beyond the realm of employee satisfaction or work-life balance. By facilitating telework and remote work, the Defense Department is positioning itself as an attractive employer in a competitive global talent market, particularly in specialized fields where the Department has historically vied with the private sector for top talent. This is especially pertinent in areas such as cybersecurity, where the Defense Department’s ability to attract and retain skilled professionals is critical to national security.

The policy’s focus on leveraging telework to offer career opportunities to military spouses, increase accessibility for persons with disabilities, and retain employees with specialized skills underscores a holistic approach to workforce development that is both inclusive and strategic.

The Defense Department’s policies stem from clear data, for instance in the annual report by the Office of Personnel Management on telework within the federal sector. Federal agency leaders advocate for telework primarily because 62 percent of them view it as a crucial strategy for attracting talent. In today’s work environment, the federal workforce places a high value on flexibility, often prioritizing it over traditional benefits.

Moreover, telework significantly affects the retention of federal employees. Those who telework regularly, ranging from full-time to three days each pay period, demonstrate a strong desire to remain in their positions, with a retention rate of 68 percent. This is in stark contrast to individuals who telework less frequently, such as one or two days per pay period, where the retention rate drops to 61 percent. The difference becomes even more pronounced among employees who do not telework at all, with their retention rate falling to 53 percent.

Moreover, the Defense Department’s nuanced approach to security, stipulating that telework eligibility is contingent upon the nature of an employee’s interaction with classified information, illustrates the Defense Department’s pragmatic balance between operational security and the flexibility offered by remote work. This delicate balance is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the department’s operations while adapting to the changing landscape of work.

By strategically embracing the potential of telework and remote work, the Defense Department is not just addressing the immediate needs and expectations of its workforce but is also laying the groundwork for a more dynamic, inclusive, and efficient federal workforce. This move signals a broader recognition within the federal domain of the need to adapt to changing work paradigms, a recognition that will undoubtedly shape the future of work in the public sector.

As we move forward, the adaptability, foresight, and strategic intent demonstrated by the Department of Defense will serve as a guiding light for other agencies navigating the complex interplay between evolving work norms, mission imperatives, and public expectations.

Gleb Tsipursky serves as the CEO of the hybrid work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. He is the author of Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams.