How to Adapt Your Office for the Federal RTO Mandate

A Return to Office Buying Guide

With federal employees mandated to return to full-time office work, agency managers and administrators must rethink their workspaces. The stakes are high—productivity, morale, and collaboration all hinge on getting this transition right. Creating an environment that supports a modern workforce requires careful planning and strategic investments in office amenities to meet evolving needs.

This return to the office is not just a logistical shift, but an opportunity to reimagine the workspace for success. This guide will help you tackle this transition head-on, offering solutions that balance modern privacy, flexibility, and team engagement.

How to Adjust Your Workspace for the Federal Government Return to Office Mandate

After being sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring most federal employees to return to full-time in-person work:

“Heads of all departments and agencies in the executive branch of Government shall, as soon as practicable, take all necessary steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis, provided that the department and agency heads shall make exemptions they deem necessary.

“This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law.”

The recent return-to-office (RTO) policy shows Trump’s plan to reform the federal workforce, which includes around 2.3 million civilian employees, ending telework arrangements widely adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. But do all federal employees have to go back to the office? It depends.While the mandate claims agency heads are authorized to grant exemptions, White House officials haven’t explained how they should decide who qualifies.

For managers and administrators, the goal is simple: create a workspace where employees returning from hybrid or home office setups can be productive, collaborate easily, and feel comfortable. How? By finding modular solutions that balance employee needs, office rules, and practical design. Here are four key tips and various product suggestions to help you make the transition from work from home (WFH) to in-office attendance smoothly.

1. Create Privacy for Focus and Productivity

As federal government employees return to the office after years of working remotely, maintaining privacy is crucial. Quiet, focused spaces are essential for employees to dive deep into their work, while semi-private areas can encourage both focus and collaboration. A hybrid approach to office design, blending open areas with private workstations, is the key.

Product Suggestions:

• Hush Panel™ Cubicles combine sleek, adjustable designs with sound-absorbing properties to enhance privacy and reduce noise in open office spaces. With the option to include windows, these cubicles offer a balance of quiet, focused work areas and an open, airy feel, adapting to your office’s evolving needs.

• Desktop Privacy Panels are lightweight, easy to install, and provide instant separation between workstations, preserving the open-concept feel while boosting productivity.

2. Set Up Flexible Spaces for Collaborative Success

Collaboration is key as teams return to in-person work, but flexibility is just as essential. Modular furniture and movable partitions are perfect for creating shared work areas that can easily be reconfigured to meet different team needs. These flexible setups encourage teamwork while adapting to shifting priorities.

Product Suggestion:

• The Room Divider 360® is a versatile solution that allows you to reconfigure spaces on the fly, making it easy to create collaborative zones or private meeting spaces. 

3. Reduce Distractions with Effective Acoustic Solutions

Noise levels can be one of the biggest hurdles for employees transitioning back to the office. Sound-absorbing panels or acoustic partitions can make a significant difference by reducing distractions and improving focus.

Product Suggestion: 

• SoundSorb® Acoustic Panels are designed to reduce distractions by effectively absorbing sound. With a variety of installation options, including flat ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted, or freestanding units, these panels bring modern design and functionality together to create a peaceful, productive atmosphere.  

4. Invest in Comfort to Boost Employee Engagement

Comfort is a powerful tool to improve employee satisfaction and productivity. Upgrading to ergonomic furniture can make a world of difference. Consider investing in adjustable standing desks, ergonomic chairs, and proper lighting to help employees feel their best throughout the workday.

Product Suggestions: 

• Adjustable Electric Standing Desks allow employees to easily switch between sitting and standing, boosting energy, improving circulation, and reducing back pain.

• Single Desktop Monitor Arm or Dual Desktop Monitor Arms enable users to adjust the height, tilt, and position of their monitors, promoting better posture and reducing strain on the neck, back, and eyes.

Create a Productive Workspace for a Seamless Return to Office

As federal employees go back to the office under the mandate, it's important to invest in office amenities and planning to create a workspace designed for your team’s success. With solutions that prioritize privacy, flexibility, and comfort, you can easily handle the return to the office and create a space where employees feel motivated, engaged, and ready to succeed.

Versare is here to support you as you transition from WFH to RTO, specializing in innovative space solutions that cater to the needs of today’s evolving office environment. Explore Versare’s diverse range of products or reach out to find the perfect fit for your workspace.