The federal workplace landscape is shifting significantly with the recent President’s mandate to end telework and remote work. For those who joined federal service during or after the pandemic, this mandate might represent a fundamental change in working conditions. The job you got accustomed to — one that offered flexibility and work-life balance through telework and remote options — is transforming. The impact of this mandate might extend far beyond your office space. It also might be reaching into your home, potentially impacting routines and family dynamics that you’ve built over the past few years. While you can’t control the policy changes, you can control how you respond to them. Here are three practical recommendations to help manage this transition:
1. Reimagine Your Daily Schedule
The end of telework means commuting will become a daily reality again. This shift requires adjusting your morning schedule, including earlier wake-up times to account for travel. Create purposeful morning and evening routines that prioritize your well-being. Establish consistent evening habits — laying out clothes, packing bags, and preparing for the next day — to help reduce morning stress and ensure smooth transitions. This gentle approach can help reduce stress and make the change feel more manageable.
2. Restructure Family Responsibilities
For those with family responsibilities, this change might require restructuring of household dynamics. Your family members might have grown accustomed to your presence and availability during the day. Open, honest conversations about these changes can help everyone adjust their expectations and feel heard. To maintain household stability, consider redistributing household responsibilities or arranging additional support systems, like before and after-school programs if needed.
3. Emotional Well-Being During Transition
The emotional impact of this transition deserves attention. You might find yourself experiencing a complex mix of feelings — perhaps frustration at the loss of flexibility and anxiety about changes to the family dynamics. These emotions are entirely valid and shared by many federal employees across the government. If you need support developing coping strategies, reach out to your mentor, counselor, or health professionals. The Employee Assistance Program can also provide valuable tools to manage stress, build resilience, and navigate workplace changes.
While this may not be the job you initially expected, remember you can control how you show up for yourself and others during this transition. Practice self-compassion during the transition. Adapting takes time — there’s no need for immediate acceptance. Let the process unfold at its own pace and give yourself permission to acknowledge your feelings while working through them. Though this transition may feel daunting, stay focused on what you can control and remain open to discovering new ways to thrive in this evolving phase of your federal career.
Adeline (Addy) Maissonet is a Procurement Analyst for the Defense Pricing, Contracting, and Acquisition Policy (DPCAP) within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). She serves as a senior advisor on contracting policies and procedures and the agency’s representative on the Department’s views on proposed legislation to Congressional members, their staff, and committee staffers. Prior to her current role, Addy served as a Division Chief and Contracting Officer with unlimited warrant authority for the U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) – Fort Eustis, Virginia. Addy holds an MBA in Management and Contracting Level III Certification under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. She is a graduate from Cornell University’s Executive Leadership Certificate Program. In her free time, Addy enjoys hiking and overlanding with her family and friends.
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.