Senate report finds only six percent of federal employees work in-person full-time

Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst on Thursday published a Senate report that found that only 6% of the federal workforce is doing their jobs fully in person, and one third is working fully remote.

The senator began her investigation into the role of telework in the federal government last year. 

Ernst accused the federal agencies of abusing telework options, and costing the American people billions of taxpayer dollars to operate government buildings that are not even half full. The average occupancy rate of a major agency headquarter in Washington, D.C., is just 12%, the 60-page report disclosed.

“For years, I have been tracking down bureaucrats relaxing in bubble baths, playing golf, getting arrested, and doing just about everything besides their job,” Ernst said in a statement. “It would almost be funny if it wasn’t happening on the taxpayers’ dime and at the expense of veterans, seniors, small business owners, and Americans in need of competent service from government agencies. Federal employees need to return to work, but if they don’t want to, I will make their wish come true.”

The report comes ahead of a second Donald Trump administration, which has promised to greatly reform the federal government. Trump has tapped billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new department called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is tasked with reducing federal spending.

Ernst has been selected to lead the Senate’s caucus that will work alongside the new department.

Musk and Ramaswamy have signaled support for requiring the federal workforce to return to in-person operations. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.