In a recent hearing with the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, the surprising revelation that federal workers telework less than their private-sector counterparts left many lawmakers baffled.

This misunderstanding was highlighted when Rob Shriver, the Acting Director of the Office of Personnel Management, cited a newly released Congressional Budget Office report comparing federal and private-sector telework habits. Contrary to the prevailing belief among members of Congress critical of remote work, the report revealed that by the end of 2022, only 22 percent of federal employees typically worked from home, compared to 25 percent of private-sector employees.

CBO's analysis provided a clear and controlled comparison of telework habits, considering such variables as education, location, and occupation. The results consistently showed that private-sector employees were more likely than federal employees to telework.

This fact challenges the narrative that federal workers are more prone to teleworking, a misconception that some lawmakers have been promoting as part of a broader tendency to emphasize talking points and rhetoric on this topic over evidence and substance.

One of the most notable moments during the hearing came when Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wisc.) expressed disbelief at the data. “Did you say that federal employees got back to work quicker than in the private sector?” he asked incredulously.

Shriver reaffirmed the findings, emphasizing the validity of the CBO report and adding that 54 percent of federal workers do not work remotely at all. In contrast, a........

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