Remote U.S. Veterans Affairs workers required to return to in-person work

SHERIDAN (WNE) — The Sheridan Veterans Affairs Health Care System has undergone some changes after President Trump’s Jan. 20 presidential memorandum required all VA virtual workers to return to in-person work.

The presidential memorandum states that heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary.

According to VA news, more than 20% of VA employees — which surpasses 479,000 across the country — had telework or remote work arrangements.

The Sheridan VA had 94 supervisors who were eligible for telework, 89 of whom worked virtually one day per week, Sheridan VA Health Care System Director Pam Crowell said in an email.

“All 94 supervisors are now back in person full time. Since most of the supervisors worked in person already, the transition has been smooth,” Crowell said.

According to a VA press release, all virtual and telework agreements will be terminated by July 28.

However, there are exceptions and exemptions for employees with remote and telework arrangements approved as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, qualifying medical condition, military spouse with existing remote work arrangements, spouses of U.S. Foreign Service members on overseas assignment, and employees on Domestic Employee Teleworking Overseas arrangements, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Douglas Collins said in a press release.

“VA’s policy is to bring as many employees back to the office as space permits. VA will make accommodations as needed to ensure employees have enough space to work and will always ensure that Veterans’ access to benefits and services remains uninterrupted as employees return to in-person work,” Crowell said.

This story was published on March 4, 2025.