Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa questioned the Biden administration over its telework coverage, citing cases the place workers working from residence took bubble baths and performed golf whereas on the clock.
In a letter despatched to all authorities businesses, Ernst cited a media account of a Division of Veterans Affairs worker who attended a workers assembly whereas taking a bubble bathtub. Ernst additionally cited the case involving an worker with america Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) who acquired $25,000 whereas spending over 730 hours on the golf course or completely happy hours, in keeping with an August 2015 report by the inspector basic’s workplace of the Commerce Division.
“It’s not truthful to let the obligations of operating an company—and the nation—fall on the shoulders of the hardworking public servants who’re displaying up whereas others are out {golfing} on the taxpayer’s dime,” Ernst stated in a press release.
“Annoyed People are being placed on maintain whereas too many federal workers are phoning it in. I’m calling out federal workers who refuse to reply the decision of obligation to return to work on behalf of taxpayers, veterans, seniors, and our nice nation. It’s time to get again to work.”
A follow-up review by the Commerce Division’s Workplace of Inspector Common revealed over 288,000 “unsupported hours” of labor that had been tied to $18.3 million of waste.
Ernst cited unanswered calls to the VA by veterans looking for psychological well being care, delays when individuals requested passport help from the State Division and lengthy wait occasions and busy messages for individuals calling the Social Safety Administration.
Ernst additionally questioned the spending on workplace area, noting {that a} Authorities Accountability Workplace report launched July 13 said that 75% of workplace area was not being utilized.
Orginally revealed by The Daily Caller News Foundation.
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