FDA employees face chaos while returning to office under new mandate

On March 17, 2025, thousands of Food and Drug Administration employees reported to their headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, as part of a mandated return to in-person work. This directive followed the Trump administration's executive order aimed at reducing remote work arrangements for federal employees. Upon arrival, employees were met with significant challenges, including overflowing parking lots, packed office spaces, and understaffed security checkpoints. Many workers described the return experience as chaotic, with long lines extending outside the building and a lack of basic office supplies, such as chairs and desks, creating a frustrating environment that hindered productivity. The FDA had allowed employees the option to work from home for at least two days a week prior to the mandate. This flexibility helped the agency attract skilled experts, making the sudden shift back to in-office work all the more jarring. The transition was complicated by the agency's long-standing issues with space and resources. A previous report indicated a need for over 7,000 additional parking spaces due to existing shortages that have persisted for years. Many employees expressed concerns about not only the logistical challenges they faced but also about the safety of the drinking water at the campus, as there had previously been reports of Legionella bacteria contamination in the water system. As federal workers from the FDA returned to an environment marked by confusion and overcrowding, they faced uniquely compounded difficulties. Employees reported being forced to search for chairs in unused conference rooms or other buildings across the campus, highlighting the stark lack of preparedness for such a large influx of staff. According to employees' accounts, the agency’s management had failed to address these staffing and space issues adequately, leading workers to feel that the mandate was designed to induce discomfort and frustration in hopes of inspiring voluntary resignations. While the agency assured staff that water was deemed safe to drink, many remained skeptical, choosing to bring their own beverages due to uncertainty surrounding health considerations. Employees described this return as unprecedented, noting they had never experienced such chaos in their daily operations. Several expressed concerns that this inefficient environment would impede their efforts to fulfill vital public health responsibilities. As reports of chaotic conditions circulating among the workforce continued to grow, it became clear that the FDA faced a critical challenge in navigating the required return to in-person operations without adequate preparation.