Nearly all civilian Defense employees are back in the office, but watchdog says officials should better track telework eligibility

"About eight percent of Defense Department civilian employees have not returned to full-time in-person work, according to a Thursday Government Accountability Office report that encouraged officials to improve data collection and evaluation of agency telework and remote work. Investigators found that over the past five years DOD has not been fully recording data on employee eligibility for hybrid telework or remote work."

"DOD has collected some data on telework and remote work position eligibility and use but does not have formal processes to ensure accurate, timely and complete data on employee eligibility, according to the report. Without such processes, DOD has a limited understanding of how many employees are approved for these arrangements and cannot be assured that its use of these flexibilities complies with its policy."

About eight percent of Defense Department civilian employees have not returned to full-time in-person work. Investigators found DOD has not fully recorded eligibility data for hybrid telework or remote work over the past five years. Publicly reported remote-employee counts differed substantially, with OMB reporting 61,549 in May 2024 and DOD later reporting 35,558. DOD lacks formal processes to ensure accurate, timely, and complete data on employee eligibility, limiting understanding of approved arrangements and compliance. As of July 31, 2025, noncompliant workers generally included deferred resignation program participants, military spouses, or employees with reasonable accommodations, including those with disabilities.

Read at Government Executive