Senator Ernst Demands Pentagon Provide Evidence of Teleworkers’ Productivity

Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa is taking action to tighten regulations on federal teleworking. She is demanding that the Department of Defense develop a plan to verify the productivity of teleworking employees.

A letter was sent to Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland of the Defense Health Agency, accusing her of prioritizing the interests of the agency’s employee union over its mission, as reported by the Washington Examiner.

Ernst emphasized the importance of strategic oversight in telework arrangements to avoid negative impacts. She is calling for the use of virtual private network (VPN) tracking and other tools to monitor teleworking employees’ activities, especially those in regions with lower pay rates receiving higher salaries.

She expressed concerns about potential fraud and lack of accountability in telework practices, urging for stricter guidelines and verification mechanisms. Ernst has set a deadline for Crosland to provide necessary information regarding telework activities within the agency.

Ernst has been investigating telework procedures in various federal departments and agencies since August 2023, seeking to ensure transparency and accountability in teleworking arrangements.