Following the Trump administration’s directive earlier this year, most Food and Drug Administration (FDA) employees were required to return to work in person on Monday. This mandate has raised concerns among employees at the main campus in Silver Spring, Maryland.
One of the major concerns for employees was the safety of the drinking water in some buildings on campus, as testing last fall revealed the presence of Legionella bacteria. This raised doubts among employees about the quality of the water and whether it was safe to consume. As a result, some employees opted to book stays at a nearby Comfort Inn to avoid the lengthy commute to work.
Another challenge faced by employees was the lack of adequate space for conducting sensitive calls. With employees crammed into conference rooms with limited privacy, it became difficult to have confidential discussions without being overheard by others. This raised concerns about maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in the workplace.
The Trump administration’s order mandated that FDA employees whose “duty station” was within a 50-mile radius of a federal facility had to return to work in person by Monday. Those employees located outside of the 50-mile radius have until April 28 to comply with the directive.
Overall, the return to in-person work has presented various challenges for FDA employees in Silver Spring. From concerns about water safety to the lack of privacy for sensitive discussions, employees are navigating a new working environment that is less than ideal. As the deadline for compliance approaches, employees are grappling with the realities of returning to the office amidst ongoing concerns about safety and comfort.
