Congress baffled to learn the private sector works from home more than fed employees

In a recent hearing with the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, the surprising revelation that federal workers telework less than their private-sector counterparts left many lawmakers baffled.

This misunderstanding was highlighted when Rob Shriver, the Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management, cited a newly released Congressional Budget Office report comparing federal and private-sector telework habits. Contrary to the prevailing belief among members of Congress critical of remote work, the report revealed that by the end of 2022, only 22 percent of federal employees typically worked from home, compared to 25 percent of private-sector employees.

CBO’s analysis provided a clear and controlled comparison of telework habits, considering such variables as education, location, and occupation. The results consistently showed that private-sector employees were more likely than federal employees to telework.

This fact challenges the narrative that federal workers are more prone to teleworking, a misconception that some lawmakers have been promoting as part of a broader tendency to emphasize talking points and rhetoric on this topic over evidence and substance.

One of the most notable moments during the hearing came when Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisc.) expressed disbelief at the data. “Did you say that federal employees got back to work quicker than in the private sector?” he asked incredulously.

Shriver reaffirmed the findings, emphasizing the validity of the CBO report and adding that 54 percent of federal workers do not work remotely at all. In contrast, a McKinsey study found previously that, as of 2022, 58 percent of workers in the broader economy reported working remotely at least one day per week.

The report also highlighted that telework was more common in urban areas and among more educated workers in both sectors. For instance, in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, 40 percent of private-sector workers telework, compared to 38 percent of federal workers. This slight difference further dispelled the myth of a supposedly lax culture in government that has federal employees disproportionately working from home.

Certain occupations showed even more significant disparities. In computer and mathematical fields, for example, 56 percent of private-sector workers teleworked, whereas only 37 percent of federal employees did. These figures suggest that the private sector has not only embraced telework more widely but also offered more opportunities for remote work in specific high-demand fields.

The CBO report also touched on the implications of telework opportunities for recruitment and retention within the federal workforce. It noted that employees are generally willing to accept lower pay in exchange for the flexibility to work from home. This trend suggests that the federal government’s lesser emphasis on telework could hinder its ability to attract and retain talent. “Limited evidence indicates that U.S. workers would be willing to give up about 8 percent of their salary, on average, to work from home about half the time,” the CBO reported. Other studies have found that telework options can significantly improve employee retention, particularly in sectors where remote work is feasible and productive.

The hearing showcased a significant disconnect between lawmakers’ perceptions and the actual data. Anti-telework rhetoric has been prevalent among certain members of Congress since the pandemic, portraying federal teleworkers as less productive. However, the data presented by Shriver and corroborated by various studies have painted a different picture.

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) played a pivotal role in clarifying the situation for his colleagues. Armed with chart from the CBO report, he emphasized that the private sector was indeed outpacing the federal government in adopting telework.

Moskowitz’s leading, tongue-in-cheek question to Shriver underscored the irony of the situation: “The private sector is outpacing us in teleworking,” he said. “Do you think my colleagues should file a resolution of disapproval of the private sector because of all this teleworking that the private sector is doing?”

To counter Republican skepticism around telework, Shriver and other officials highlighted data demonstrating the effectiveness and productivity of remote work. An OPM report, for example noted that telework had led to better work-life balance, increased productivity, and improved performance management within federal agencies. These findings were supported by the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, in which more than 84 percent of respondents agreed that their work units were producing high-quality work and meeting customer needs.

Furthermore, recent data from the Department of Education provided concrete examples of increased productivity with telework. In 2022, the department issued nearly $70 billion in grants, a significant increase from $46 billion in 2019. They also resolved nearly 17,000 civil rights complaints and forgave $13 billion in student loans. This underscores the ability of remote federal employees to maintain high performance levels.

Beyond productivity, telework has also brought financial benefits. The Department of Education’s flexible remote work plan, for instance, saved the agency nearly $9 million in annual rent. This cost-saving aspect of telework further supports the argument for its continued expansion within federal agencies.

The disconnect between lawmakers’ perceptions and the reality of telework in the federal workforce highlights the need for better communication and understanding of telework’s benefits. As the federal government continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, embracing flexible work arrangements could be crucial for attracting and retaining talent, maintaining productivity, and achieving cost savings.

The recent hearing served as a wake-up call for Congress, revealing that the private sector has been leading in telework adoption. Moving forward, it will be essential for federal agencies and lawmakers to align their policies with the evolving work preferences of employees and the demonstrated benefits of telework. The federal government can thus not only enhance its workforce’s efficiency and job satisfaction, but also remain competitive in a rapidly changing labor market.

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