SSA Ordered to Reinstate Telework as Fight over Office Return Escalates

A new development as unions push back against President Trump’s directive ordering most federal employees back to the office five days a week.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) was ordered to restore telework for its employees represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE). 

Arbitrator Sarah Miller Espinosa ruled that SSA violated its 2019 national agreement with AFGE when it curtailed telework and remote work and required most employees to return to in-person work in March 2025. The agreement guarantees telework provisions through 2029.

When implementing the policy, SSA described the move as a temporary “suspension” of telework in an apparent attempt to align with the contract.

“The agency’s breach of its commitment, which meant thousands of employees were mandated to forego approved telework and return indefinitely to full-time in-person work, clearly went to the heart of the parties’ agreement,” wrote Espinosa.  

The ruling is not expected to have an immediate impact. SSA said it strongly disagrees with the decision and will appeal the ruling to the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).  

“The federal government has a return to in-person work mandate. SSA has realized significant improvements in our performance, providing better, faster customer service for the American people through hands-on work and hands-on management,” said an SSA spokesperson. 

SSA Telework Report 

The decision comes after a January Government Accountability Office (GAO) report stated that SSA is at risk of losing additional staff over the removal of telework opportunities.

GAO said nearly half of the 37 percent of SSA employees who intended to leave within the next year cited telework and remote work as a reason behind wanting out. GAO warned that the potential loss could widen skills gaps and expand service delays and backlogs. 

HUD Ruling 

And the SSA ruling comes after a similar ruling at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Last month an arbitrator ruled that HUD also violated its union agreement by implementing a return to office policy, and ordered HUD to resume telework for affected employees.

HUD is appealing.