The U.S. government will allow federal employees to work from home or adjust their hours to observe religious fasts and prayers, according to new guidance from the Trump administration.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Wednesday advised agencies to adopt a flexible approach toward remote work during religious holidays.
OPM Director Scott Kupor said employees should be allowed to work remotely before and during religious observances and should also be granted permission to work from home if they need to take breaks for fasting. Agencies that deny such requests must show a significant operational impact.
The move reflects a shift in policy. Trump had previously insisted that federal workers return to the office full time and had threatened to dismiss those who did not comply. The OPM later made exceptions, including for military spouses.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, a supporter of reducing government costs, said in November that ending remote work could lead to more resignations, which he welcomed.
As of May 2024, more than 1 million federal employees, nearly half of the federal civilian workforce, were eligible to work remotely at least part of the time, according to a report from the Biden administration. Around 10 percent of those employees were working fully remotely.
