As the Trump administration prepares to confront China's growing influence, it is critical to base strategies on accurate assessments of domestic capabilities. Misleading narratives, such as those propagated by conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, risk undermining government efficiency by spreading falsehoods about federal telework practices. Kirk's claims on X that 85% of federal employees telework minimally, suggesting a "looting operation" at taxpayers' expense, misrepresent the reality of remote work in government and threaten to weaken the United States in its strategic competition with China.
Contrary to Kirk's assertions, data from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reveals a much different reality. By the end of 2022, only 22% of federal employees typically teleworked, compared to 25% of private-sector employees during the same period. Additionally, 54% of federal workers did not telework at all, whereas over half of the broader workforce reported working remotely at least one day per week, according to a McKinsey study. In urban areas like Washington, D.C., telework adoption among federal employees stood at 38%, slightly lower than the 40% rate for private-sector workers.
Occupation-specific data further challenges misconceptions. In fields like computer and mathematical professions, where remote work is common, 56% of private-sector employees teleworked compared to just 37% of federal employees. These figures demonstrate that the private sector has embraced telework more aggressively than federal agencies, particularly in high-demand fields.
Critics like Kirk also overlook the significant benefits telework provides. The Department of Education illustrates this through its performance from 2019 to 2022. During this period, the department achieved remarkable increases in output, such as boosting grant issuance from $46 billion to $70 billion and resolving nearly 17,000 civil rights cases. Simultaneously, it saved approximately $9 million annually in office space costs. Such results underscore that telework can enhance productivity while reducing operational expenses.
In the broader context of strategic competition with China, an efficient and resilient federal workforce is crucial. China’s heavy investments in technology and infrastructure demand a U.S. response leveraging all available resources, including telework. Remote work can attract top talent in critical sectors like cybersecurity, data analysis, and international relations, where expertise is essential to counter Chinese initiatives. Additionally, telework aligns with conservative principles of fiscal responsibility. By reducing the need for physical office space, telework generates cost savings that can be redirected to national security and competitiveness.
Despite these benefits, skepticism about federal telework persists in Congress. A House Oversight Committee hearing revealed widespread misconceptions, with members expressing disbelief when presented with CBO findings. Representative Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) seemed particularly surprised by data showing federal employees returned to in-person work more quickly than their private-sector counterparts after pandemic lockdowns. Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) pointed out the irony, noting that private-sector telework adoption often exceeds that of federal agencies.
Telework also serves as a valuable recruitment and retention tool in a competitive labor market. The CBO found that many employees are willing to accept lower pay for the flexibility to work remotely. On average, employees are willing to forgo about 8% of their salary to telework part-time, making it a cost-effective way to attract talent. Moreover, surveys such as the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey show that 84% of federal employees believe their teams deliver high-quality work under telework arrangements. This aligns with broader research from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which highlights improved productivity, employee satisfaction, and work-life balance in agencies that adopt remote work.
To effectively counter China's strategic maneuvers, the incoming administration must acknowledge the proven benefits of telework and incorporate it into a comprehensive strategy. Embracing telework can enhance the federal workforce's efficiency and adaptability, enabling the U.S. to navigate global competition more effectively. Perpetuating misconceptions about federal telework not only undermines workforce morale but also jeopardizes efforts to optimize domestic resources. By recognizing telework as a strategic asset, the administration can debunk unfounded narratives, improve government operations, and strengthen the nation’s global position.
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Gleb Tsipursky, PhD, serves as the CEO of the hybrid work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts and authored the best-seller Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams.