The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has paused remote work accommodations for employees with disabilities, following updates to federal telework policies.
An internal email sent on September 15 indicates that all approvals for long-term telework — including those granted as reasonable accommodations — are on hold until further notice, according to Stat News.
This move is linked to a larger policy change from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which in August revised its guidance to federal agencies without including provisions for long-term telework as a disability accommodation.
The changes also follow a directive issued in January by the Trump administration that encouraged federal agencies to scale back remote work and bring employees back on-site.
While the CDC is awaiting clarification from HHS, employees who previously had telework accommodations or are currently applying for them have been left in a state of uncertainty. According to internal communications, they are being advised to work with their supervisors to find temporary solutions.
However, there is concern among staff that these interim measures may not be sufficient for those who rely on remote work due to medical or accessibility needs.
The impact has already been felt across the agency. Some employees have reportedly had their accommodations revoked abruptly and were instructed to return to the office without prior discussion or notice. The number of affected workers remains unclear, but union representatives say dozens are involved.
Legal experts have raised concerns that pausing disability-related telework could conflict with federal laws that protect the rights of employees with disabilities. Current regulations require that accommodation decisions be made based on individual roles and needs, not through broad, across-the-board policies.
This issue has been further complicated by staffing cuts earlier this year. In April, the CDC laid off employees who previously oversaw disability accommodation requests, creating a gap in support for workers navigating the process. Temporary approvals were granted to those with pending requests, but with the recent change, even those interim approvals have been rescinded.
As of now, the CDC has not publicly detailed how long the pause will last or what specific steps are being taken to review and address the situation. HHS has not commented on the matter.
With evolving guidance and a lack of clarity on future accommodations, the situation remains in flux for many CDC employees who depend on remote work to remain employed.
