FEDERAL MILSPOUSE WORKERS PROVIDED EXEMPTION THAT ALLOWS WORKING FROM HOME
Changes are rolling in under President Donald Trump’s second term, and federal employees working from home could soon be cut from their positions. However, such decisions throw many families into the unknown, forcing them to reevaluate their careers, income, and the logistics within their household. Lawmakers are advocated to allow exemption for milspouses working from home and now they’re a reality for the military community.
Lawmakers Fight for Milspouses to Continue Working From Home
There is bipartisan support to help milspouses working from home receive an exemption from President Trump’s new mandates restricting remote work and telework within federal jobs.
Despite the Trump administration’s possible negative effects on recruitment and retention, they have chosen to end remote work in federal jobs, which could be a huge issue within the military community and beyond.
Furthermore, military recruitment and retention could be negatively impacted, according to experts, as keeping milspouses employed through the federal government is a big concern for families unable to maintain their roles without remote opportunities.
Considering military families often move, having the option to work from home is a great way to help with personal flexibility while also building a career for milspouses.
Milspouses Want More Clarity
One of the things new legislation could help with is simply clarifying what's going on.
On January 27th, the Trump administration sent a memo suggesting the idea of an exemption for milspouses, but it doesn’t guarantee they are spared from the return-to-office mandate.
This is a problem because many worry that the executive order delivered a week prior, would overrule such an idea unless there is something explicitly providing the exemption.
Meanwhile, a “deferred resignation” offer amid likely layoffs is promising pay through September 30, 2025, for those who leave their position; however, there are already legal challenges to this initiative.
The Support Military Families Act
Lawmakers are calling for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide a direct exemption for milspouses and family members connected to national security working from home to be allowed to continue despite Trump’s new EO.
Reps. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Eugene Vindman (D-Va.) introduced the Support Military Families Act to the U.S. House of Representatives in support of those being told to return to work in person.
If it passes, milspouses would receive an exemption if they were eligible to work from home before January 20, 2025.
Furthermore, the law would task the Government Accountability Office (GAO) with providing lawmakers with important related figures, including how many milspouses have their employment at risk and the potential impact on the economy.
OPM Memo: Working From Home Permitted for Milspouses
Milspouses working from home can now rest easy, as federal remote jobs are now officially exempt from President Trump’s return-to-office directive for the community.
This is a welcomed turn of events fought for by the community, supporters, and lawmakers, that helps military families maintain job stability during a time of uncertain layoffs.
A new memo from the OPM is mandating that military spouses be allowed to continue remote work throughout federal agencies, clarifying earlier guidance that left room for uncertainty.
The new guidance clarifies the Jan. 27 memo from OPM and the Office of Management and Budget that included a footnote stating agencies “should also exclude military spouses working remotely based on the Military Spouse Employment Act” from the return-to-office requirement.
Furthermore, the memo isn't just for those with service members on active duty. Milspouses of disabled, and deceased service members, as well as Foreign Service spouses overseas all qualify.
Is Working From Home More Productive?
Every worker is different and it’s difficult to pinpoint whether or not workers are more or less productive when they work from home.
If you have discipline and a good work ethic, you’re going to likely find yourself productive regardless; however, there are environmental factors and how you respond to them that will be important variables to consider.
For example, if you work in an office, you’re unlikely to have your child needing your attention, lingering chores distracting you, and others to help keep you on task. The opposite is often true at home, which is why it’s important to understand that everyone is going to respond to remote work differently.
With that being said, working from home is a great option for milspouses for many different reasons.
Hopefully, the community receives the support it deserves from lawmakers who will protect these options, allowing workers to be judged on their own individual performance and merits instead of sweeping agendas.
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