Last year, collaboration with Senator Joni Ernst’s office aimed to measure the federal bureaucracy. We inquired about the number of employees, their earnings compared to the private sector, their locations, job performance, and vacation time funded by taxpayers. The findings revealed troubling details. Federal employees receive substantial vacation time, accumulating 44 days off after just three years of work, while the average private sector wage is around $54,339, compared to over $100K in many federal agencies.
In 2023, when Congress questioned the Office of Personnel Management about employee return rates post-Covid, the director was unable to provide clear numbers. The Biden administration’s increasing secrecy was evident, as 350,861 employee names were redacted in 2022, a significant increase from 2,300 in 2016 under Obama. This lack of transparency also affected the reporting of 281,656 employee locations, hiding an estimated $36 billion in taxpayer-funded salaries and benefits.
A recent report by Senator Ernst titled “Out of Office” highlights the aftermath of Covid lockdowns and the rise of remote work. Among federal office spaces in DC, only 12% are occupied now, compared to 3% before the pandemic. Nearly one in three federal workers telecommutes daily, while just 6% work in person. This widespread absenteeism can lead to serious issues, as senior citizens may struggle to receive assistance from the Social Security Administration, and veterans face long waiting times for healthcare services.
During the pandemic, many crucial complaints, such as those regarding unsafe conditions at baby formula factories, went unanswered due to staffing issues, leading to critical shortages. Failure to attend to these matters can result in real harm to Americans, with troubles like unsanitary conditions at food manufacturing facilities ignored during extended remote work periods.
Additionally, taxpayers are still footing the bill for government operations despite poor service. Reports showed that federal agencies spent extravagantly on office improvements while their offices remained mostly empty. The CDC, for example, spent nearly $238,000 on solar-powered picnic tables, while the State Department bought nearly $120,000 worth of high-end recliners for its Islamabad embassy.
During this time, dangerous health risks grew in abandoned federal buildings, including stagnant water leading to potential Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks. It is reported that even determined employees are sometimes discouraged from returning to work.
To address these issues, Senator Ernst is proposing the REMOTE Act. This proposed law would require agencies to gather data on the negative impacts of telework, analyze employee computer usage, and provide essential information for performance evaluations. Such measures would help taxpayers understand the productivity of remote workers and enable accountability among agency leaders.
The ongoing trend of remote work has not only led to empty offices and unmet responsibilities but also to deteriorating conditions and growing delays in essential government functions. Proper legislation like the REMOTE Act is essential for increasing transparency and accountability within the federal workforce. Congress must prioritize and make sensible budget decisions while adapting to the reality of limited resources, unlike private companies that typically balance office space and remote work policies effectively.
https://openthebooks.substack.com/p/wheres-waldo-new-report-shows-dc
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