CDC Pauses WFH Flexibility for Disability Workers
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has temporarily revoked permission for employees with disabilities to work from home and halted approvals for new remote work accommodations, citing...
- On September 15, 2023, the CDC informed employees via email that it was pausing all approvals for long-term telework, including those requested as a reasonable accommodation for disabilities.
- The CDC's decision is directly linked to the January 2025 directive from the Trump governance mandating a return to in-person work for federal employees.
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CDC Pauses Remote Work Accommodations for Employees with Disabilities
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has temporarily revoked permission for employees with disabilities to work from home and halted approvals for new remote work accommodations, citing a recent federal directive.
published September 18, 2023 | Updated September 19, 2023
what Happened?
On September 15, 2023, the CDC informed employees via email that it was pausing all approvals for long-term telework, including those requested as a reasonable accommodation for disabilities. This means existing remote work arrangements for employees with disabilities have been temporarily withdrawn, and new requests will not be considered untill further notice. The agency encourages employees to discuss interim solutions with their supervisors.
The CDC’s decision is directly linked to the January 2025 directive from the Trump governance mandating a return to in-person work for federal employees. This directive was further reinforced by an August 2023 update to the Health and Human Services (HHS) telework policy, which explicitly excluded long-term telework as a viable option for federal employees with disabilities.
Why This Matters: Legal and Employee Impact
This policy shift has raised concerns about potential violations of the rehabilitation Act of 1973,a crucial law protecting the employment rights of federal employees with disabilities. The Act requires federal agencies to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship.
Legal experts argue that a blanket denial of telework as a reasonable accommodation is problematic. Alison Barkoff, former head of the Administration for community Living, stated, “Any type of reasonable accommodation must be individualized and looking at the specific job’s duties. A blanket policy that telework can never be an accommodation raises serious legal concerns.”
Yolanda Jacobs, president of AFGE Local 2883 (a union representing CDC workers), reports that dozens of employees have already been affected by the withdrawal of remote work approvals. The exact number of CDC employees currently working remotely full-time remains unclear.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | Trump administration issues directive to end remote work for federal employees. |
| August 2023 | HHS updates its telework policy, excluding long-term telework for employees with disabilities. |
| September 15, 2023 | CDC emails employees pausing approvals for long-term telework accommodations. |
| September 18, 2023 | STAT News reports on the CDC’s decision. |
Who is Affected?
- CDC Employees with Disabilities: Those currently working remotely as a reasonable accommodation and those seeking new accommodations.
- Federal Employees Generally: The CDC’s decision reflects a broader trend towards reducing remote work options across the federal government.
- Disability Rights Advocates: Organizations and individuals concerned about the enforcement of the Rehabilitation Act and the rights of employees with disabilities.
- Federal Agencies: Other agencies may face similar challenges in balancing federal directives with legal obligations to provide reasonable accommodations.
What’s Next?
The CDC states it is awaiting clarification