Shannon Bond

Yeah, this USDA worker was pretty confused by this, so they actually drove to the address on this list. Sure enough, it was a storage facility. And when the worker asked the owner of the facility why it might be showing up on a list of federal office spaces, they said the owner laughed and said, yes, you know, the federal government does rent a unit here. It's used to store a boat.

Yeah, this USDA worker was pretty confused by this, so they actually drove to the address on this list. Sure enough, it was a storage facility. And when the worker asked the owner of the facility why it might be showing up on a list of federal office spaces, they said the owner laughed and said, yes, you know, the federal government does rent a unit here. It's used to store a boat.

Now, to be clear, this employee doesn't expect to actually be working out of the storage unit. Like other federal employees I spoke with, they didn't want us to use their name because they fear retaliation from the Trump administration for speaking out. I reached out to the USDA. They told me they are identifying issues and addressing them quickly.

Now, to be clear, this employee doesn't expect to actually be working out of the storage unit. Like other federal employees I spoke with, they didn't want us to use their name because they fear retaliation from the Trump administration for speaking out. I reached out to the USDA. They told me they are identifying issues and addressing them quickly.

Now, to be clear, this employee doesn't expect to actually be working out of the storage unit. Like other federal employees I spoke with, they didn't want us to use their name because they fear retaliation from the Trump administration for speaking out. I reached out to the USDA. They told me they are identifying issues and addressing them quickly.

But, Michelle, this is just one example of the kind of confusion, even absurdity, some federal workers are encountering around this order back into offices. What are some of the other stories that you've heard?

But, Michelle, this is just one example of the kind of confusion, even absurdity, some federal workers are encountering around this order back into offices. What are some of the other stories that you've heard?

But, Michelle, this is just one example of the kind of confusion, even absurdity, some federal workers are encountering around this order back into offices. What are some of the other stories that you've heard?

Yeah, my colleague Jenna McLaughlin and I talked to employees at a dozen agencies who are being ordered back into the office to comply with President Trump's executive order terminating all remote work. And what they told us is in many cases, these offices just are not equipped for an influx of people. So they're running out of toilet paper and soap in the bathrooms.

Yeah, my colleague Jenna McLaughlin and I talked to employees at a dozen agencies who are being ordered back into the office to comply with President Trump's executive order terminating all remote work. And what they told us is in many cases, these offices just are not equipped for an influx of people. So they're running out of toilet paper and soap in the bathrooms.

Yeah, my colleague Jenna McLaughlin and I talked to employees at a dozen agencies who are being ordered back into the office to comply with President Trump's executive order terminating all remote work. And what they told us is in many cases, these offices just are not equipped for an influx of people. So they're running out of toilet paper and soap in the bathrooms.

There aren't enough desks or computer monitors. Internet connections and Wi-Fi service can be slow or unavailable. You know, I even spoke to people at the FDA who went back to the main office in Maryland last week. They're nervous to drink the water in the building because last year testing found Legionella bacteria in some FDA buildings. That causes Legionnaires disease.

There aren't enough desks or computer monitors. Internet connections and Wi-Fi service can be slow or unavailable. You know, I even spoke to people at the FDA who went back to the main office in Maryland last week. They're nervous to drink the water in the building because last year testing found Legionella bacteria in some FDA buildings. That causes Legionnaires disease.

There aren't enough desks or computer monitors. Internet connections and Wi-Fi service can be slow or unavailable. You know, I even spoke to people at the FDA who went back to the main office in Maryland last week. They're nervous to drink the water in the building because last year testing found Legionella bacteria in some FDA buildings. That causes Legionnaires disease.

Now, the agency notified employees coming back that it is safe to drink the water. But some say because they haven't made new testing results available, they just don't want to risk it. The FDA told me it's keeping employees up to date on their working conditions.

Now, the agency notified employees coming back that it is safe to drink the water. But some say because they haven't made new testing results available, they just don't want to risk it. The FDA told me it's keeping employees up to date on their working conditions.

Now, the agency notified employees coming back that it is safe to drink the water. But some say because they haven't made new testing results available, they just don't want to risk it. The FDA told me it's keeping employees up to date on their working conditions.

Well, about 10 percent of federal employees were fully remote, according to a federal government report last year. That's around 288,000 people, and many more had the ability remotely. to work from home sometimes. And of course, Michelle, teleworking increased a lot during the pandemic.

Well, about 10 percent of federal employees were fully remote, according to a federal government report last year. That's around 288,000 people, and many more had the ability remotely. to work from home sometimes. And of course, Michelle, teleworking increased a lot during the pandemic.

Well, about 10 percent of federal employees were fully remote, according to a federal government report last year. That's around 288,000 people, and many more had the ability remotely. to work from home sometimes. And of course, Michelle, teleworking increased a lot during the pandemic.