Plain Language Summary
# Back to Work Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Back to Work Act would limit federal government employees to working from home no more than 40% of their work days (roughly 2 days per week in a standard 5-day week). The bill would also eliminate certain pay raises for employees who have telework agreements. Agencies would be required to monitor remote workers using technical tracking methods and review telework arrangements annually. However, agencies could restrict telework further based on job duties (like those involving classified information) or allow exceptions during emergencies or bad weather. **Who It Affects and Key Details** This bill primarily affects approximately 2.3 million federal employees across all government agencies.
It would change how and where these workers perform their jobs, with potential impacts on their compensation. The bill allows agencies some flexibility to make exceptions for specific circumstances, but establishes a uniform cap across the federal workforce. The measure reflects concerns about government productivity and workplace presence. **Current Status** The bill (HR 357) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Zachary Nunn (R-IA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. No action has been taken to advance it further.
CRS Official Summary
Back to Work ActThis bill limits federal agency employees' telework to up to 40% of the work days in any pay period and eliminates certain pay increases for teleworking employees.Under current law, executive agencies must maintain policies detailing how their employees may work remotely and enter into telework agreements with participating employees. The bill requires telework agreements to cap employees' telework at 40% of the work days in a pay period, specify that the agency will monitor employees' telework via remote technical methods, and make telework subject to annual review by the agency. The bill also eliminates locality-based and automatic annual pay adjustments for employees with telework agreements.The bill authorizes agencies to further restrict the amount of telework permitted based on an employee's specific role or other circumstances (e.g., working with classified information). Agencies may also waive the limitation for inclement weather or exigent circumstances or for an employee who (1) is married to a member of the Armed Forces or federal law enforcement officer; (2) holds a position requiring highly specialized experience or frequent travel; or (3) holds a position that is difficult to fill.Additionally, the bill requires annual agency reports to Congress describing the effectiveness of agency telework policies. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate the accuracy and thoroughness of each report in an accompanying report to Congress.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.