0
0

Federal Employee Return to Work Act

2/5/2025, 1:23 AM

Summary of Bill HR 236

Bill 119 HR 236, also known as the "Telework Pay Adjustment Prohibition Act," aims to prevent certain telework employees from receiving annual adjustments to their pay schedules. The bill is designed to address concerns about the fairness and equity of pay for employees who work remotely.

Under the provisions of the bill, telework employees who are deemed ineligible for certain pay adjustments would be prohibited from receiving them. This could impact a variety of annual adjustments, such as cost-of-living increases or performance-based raises.

The bill does not specify which telework employees would be affected by this prohibition, leaving room for interpretation and potential controversy. Critics of the bill argue that it could unfairly penalize remote workers who may have valid reasons for telecommuting, such as health concerns or family obligations. Supporters of the bill, on the other hand, argue that it is necessary to ensure that pay adjustments are distributed fairly and in line with the needs of the organization. They believe that telework employees should be subject to the same standards and criteria for pay adjustments as their in-office counterparts. Overall, Bill 119 HR 236 raises important questions about the future of remote work and how pay should be determined for telework employees. It will be important for lawmakers to carefully consider the potential implications of this legislation and how it may impact the growing trend of telecommuting in the United States.

Congressional Summary of HR 236

Federal Employee Return to Work Act

This bill prohibits providing certain annual or locality-based pay increases to teleworking federal employees.

Currently, federal law mandates annual adjustments to General Schedule (GS) pay rates according to (1) a formula based on the annual percentage change in the Employment Cost Index (a measure of labor costs in the private sector); and (2) the difference between public and private sector pay rates in an employee's locality, if that difference exceeds 5%. For example, in 2025, the default annual rate of pay for a GS-7 (step 1) employee is $49,960; the adjusted annual rate of pay for a GS-7 (step 1) employee in the locality pay area that includes Washington, DC, is $57,164. 

The bill makes executive agency employees who telework at least one day each week (or, in the case of an alternative work schedule, 20% or more each week) ineligible for these payments.

The bill is effective on the first day of the fiscal year beginning after the bill's enactment. 

 

Current Status of Bill HR 236

Bill HR 236 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since January 7, 2025. Bill HR 236 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on January 7, 2025.  Bill HR 236's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. as of January 7, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 236

Total Number of Sponsors
7
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
7
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
67
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
67
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 236

Primary Policy Focus

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 236

To prohibit certain telework employees from receiving certain annual adjustments to pay schedules, and for other purposes.
To prohibit certain telework employees from receiving certain annual adjustments to pay schedules, and for other purposes.

Comments

Latest Bills

Providing amounts for the expenses of the Committee on Ethics in the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress.
Bill HRES 131December 12, 2025
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".
Bill HJRES 106December 12, 2025
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in condemning the Government of the People's Republic of China for its harassment and efforts to intimidate American citizens and other individuals on United States soil with the goal of suppressing speech and narratives the People's Republic of China finds unwelcome.
Bill HRES 130December 12, 2025
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".
Bill HJRES 105December 12, 2025
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "Miles City Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment".
Bill HJRES 104December 12, 2025
Providing amounts for the expenses of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party in the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress.
Bill HRES 104December 12, 2025
Critical Access for Veterans Care Act
Bill S 1868December 12, 2025
OATH Act of 2025
Bill S 1665December 12, 2025
A bill to extend the authority for modifications to the Second Division Memorial in the District of Columbia.
Bill S 1353December 12, 2025
Saving Our Veterans Lives Act of 2025
Bill S 926December 12, 2025