Rep. Subramanyam Introduces Telework Legislation to Support Federal Workforce

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) introduced the Federal Telework Protection Act to create a more effective and transparent process for federal employees to request a telework agreement.

"Since taking office, this administration has waged a war on our federal workforce and facilitated a brain drain of our federal government. My district is home to nearly 37,000 federal workers. They have told me directly how damaging it is for them and their families to lose telework. Today, they are fearful of being retaliated against for even requesting telework. I am proud to introduce commonsense legislation that makes our government more effective, makes it easier to recruit the best and brightest to the federal workforce, and protects the hardworking Americans who have dedicated their careers to service," said Congressman Suhas Subramanayam.

The Federal Telework Protection Act creates a clear, efficient process for federal workers to request telework from their supervisor and receive a decision within 90 days. It encourages the consideration of factors like disability, medical conditions, caregiving, and significant commuting time in telework requests.

The bill also:

• Creates an appeals process if an employee wants to appeal a denied telework request.
• Preserves telework agreements for bargaining unit employees.
• Allows supervisors to grant temporary telework for urgent medical conditions.
• Prohibits retaliation for making a request to telework.
• Ensures medical privacy for federal employees requesting telework for medical reasons.
• Rescinds President Trump's executive order that terminated telework across the government.
• Requires federal agencies to publicly share their telework policies on their public websites.

"Telework is a proven and necessary tool that helps federal agencies recruit and retain talented employees, operate efficiently, and better serve the American people. The administration's one-size-fits-all approach has disrupted successful telework programs and undermined the flexibility agencies need to effectively serve the public. The Federal Telework Protection Act would help restore common sense to federal workplace policy while protecting employees' rights and helping Americans better access federal services and benefits they depend on. NTEU applauds Representative Subramanyam for leading this effort and standing up for federal employees and the vital services we provide," said Doreen Greenwald, National President, National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

"AFGE commends Rep. Subramanyam for his bill to strengthen federal telework programs. As the bill accurately notes, properly implemented telework programs improve worker productivity, reduce turnover, and aid recruitment. Instead, the Trump administration has lawlessly violated bargaining agreements that provide for telework, forced workers to commute for hours into substandard office space, and ignored legitimate telework requests even from those suffering from significant illnesses and disabilities," said Dr. Everett B. Kelley, National President, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE). "This new bill requires that telework requests be reviewed expeditiously and allows employees to appeal unjustified denials. It is a much-needed reform effort that treats hardworking federal employees as partners instead of scapegoats."

"As recently as 2024 the Patent and Trademark Office described itself as 'a leader of telework in the federal government,' and allowed over 90% of its workforce to telework regularly. But like every other agency it has arbitrarily curtailed telework to the detriment of employees well-being and the agency's own productivity," said Dr. Patricia Duffy, President, Patent Office Professional Association (POPA). "The Federal Telework Protection Act will ensure that the PTO and other agencies make thoughtful decisions about who can telework, and will provide employees a right to appeal when they don't."

The bill was cosponsored by James Walkinshaw (D-VA-11), Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-4), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-4), and Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-8). The bill was also endorsed by National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Patent Office Professional Association (POPA), American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and the Arc of Northern Virginia.

View the bill text here.

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