U.S. Department of Commerce
March 2022
The Department’s Return to Office
Guidance serves as the baseline for
Bureaus to develop more comprehensive
and tailored telework and remote-work
policies based on specific workplace needs.
The Department of Commerce (DOC) Return to Office Guidelines were developed with lessons
learned during COVID-19 maximum telework, recognizes the advantages of increased flexibility
and modern capabilities, and outlines the baseline telework and remote work guidelines
Bureaus will use when developing their own unique telework policies.
What are the DOC Return to Office Guidelines?
To learn more, please review the DOC Return to Office Guidelines linked here on the COVID-19 Information Hub and
reach out to your Bureau leadership with any questions.
DOC Return to Office Guidelines Overview
The Department is following the latest Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) guidance and consulted with bureaus to
develop the DOC Return to Office Guidance.
What is the baseline telework guidance?
What are the benefits to working on-site?
Generally, the Department will employ expanded telework and a "hybrid" environment with a best
practice of up to 2 days of telework per week. Bureaus are encouraged to establish core days
to bring together large portions of their workforces to maintain community and camaraderie.
On-site work allows for those “informal watercooler moments” that contribute to the
culture and required knowledge transfer within the Department. Additionally, training,
mentoring, and team building are often more difficult in the telework environment.
Targeted on-site work, including “core days,” allows employees to come together in-person
for important engagement activities to build stronger relationships which contributes to
improved performance.
What about variations from the guidance?
Variations from the baseline guidance will be approved where 1) existing collective bargaining
agreements conflict with the baseline guidance, 2) Bureaus are already in the process of
reducing their existing footprint, and 3) existing telework agreements allow telework days
in excess of the baseline guidance. For more information on subsequent requests for variation,
including for hard-to-recruit positions and retention purposes, please see the full guidelines.
