[thih9]

> American taxpayers are wasting billions to pay for owned and leased federal office space that remain largely vacant

Maybe this is an opportunity for savings instead of a forced RTO?

Then again, I doubt it's worthwhile to reason about this decision; we've seen more controversial ones already (e.g. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42785891 ) and I guess this is not the final one.

[scarface_74]

Even though Trump was there for the stargate announcement, there are no government funds involved.

But why is Stargate controversial? If private companies want to spend $500 billion, why should we care? Yes I know part of it is debt financing.

But back to your point, look at the all of the wasteful military bases in the US and weapons programs that the military brass keeps trying to get rid of but the civilian leadership keeps blocking because of civilian job loss in thier districts.

Follow the money.

[whamlastxmas]

The government is heavily involved with stargate bc it’s only possible due to fast tracking and eliminating regulations for them to build

[scarface_74]

As far as I know, none of the data center builders have had major problems with states or the federal government.

[Yeul]

Isn't the US military just a disguised jobs program? A way out for the poor and underprivileged?

[fragmede]

you say that like it's a bad thing

[throw0101d]

> you say that like it's a bad thing

Notwithstanding needing a military for geopolitical purposes, the government could also create jobs by repairing/rebuilding infrastructure like bridges, locks, public transit, rail lines, etc.

Is a bunch of tanks more or less useful than replacing a >50 year old bridge?

[ct0]

This will become a savings play in the long run. Forced RTO has generally been considered a headcount reduction approach, which checks out with new administrative direction. After RTO stabilizes, its likely the office assets will be optimized to minimize wasted office space.

[xigurat]

As a headcount reduction measure it usually means that the people that stay are the ones that are not good at what they do, so they can't find another jobs.

The good ones have more opportunities, so they don't take the BS and leave for better working conditions.

[sour-taste]

A poorly run government may be an end goal itself for the current administration

[lotsofpulp]

An alternative is those that stay are more “under the gun”, whether it be due to having dependents or still needing to make a reputation for themselves. It’s simply a bet that the product/service you are selling will still keep selling* in sufficient amounts.

The larger the organization or more monopoly/monopsony position it has, the more these kind of games can be played.

*if not for money, then sufficient political capital such that you can win the next election. Or maybe you have a goal other than winning the next election.

[scarface_74]

The current administration doesn’t want a well run government. This has been the end goal of Republicans forever. Besides, any needed replacements will be those who kiss the ring. Loyalty is far more important than competence.

[ct0]

I havent seen any data that shows the people who RTO and "stay" are bad at their job. I think low preformers are going to get RIFed either way if they RTO or not. Those who RTO easily will generally be the employees who are already geographically close to the office, satisfied with their job, and see future career opportunities.

The good ones already have had the opportunity to leave all along, and if they are good enough, they may be able to set up a home based position. Maybe government roles do not need high performers at scale like the private sector does.

[mikewarot]

>I havent seen any data that shows the people who RTO and "stay" are bad at their job

Who would pay for a study like that? There's little chance it would yield positive results, and would likely just serve to cause embarrassment for the funder of said study.

[snozolli]

There's barely any scientific evidence for anything related to hiring and firing. It's all confirmation bias and indoctrination.

[ct0]

Pay for a study? It would likely only be possible to do these studies at a company level, where there is enough sample in the headcount. There are plenty of People Analytics teams that exist on large F500's that would tackle a project like this.

[nxobject]

> Maybe government roles do not need high performers at scale like the private sector does.

As a taxpayer, I respectfully disagree; as someone who wishes the government was more efficient, I disagree; as someone who complains about poorly thought-through red tape and bureaucracy, I disagree; as someone who cares about enforcing regulations that set minimum floors on the safety of our food, transportation, and drugs, I disagree; as someone who cares about the money poured into basic and applied science research without expectation of profit, I disagree.

[dylan604]

> I think low preformers are going to get RIFed

what suggests that's the criteria that will be used for any RIF? seems to me that if you are a low performer but toe the party line that you will be safer than someone that is seen as rocking the boat and constantly pushing back.

[scarface_74]

I mean do you really need a “study” for this?

If you are good at your job and you are forced to return to office, you have other choices and you get another job.

If you don’t have other choices because you aren’t good at your job, you return to the office.

It’s the ultimate “Dead Sea Effect”.

https://brucefwebster.com/2008/04/11/the-wetware-crisis-the-...

> I think low preformers are going to get RIFed

Has the Trump administration ever made competence a requirement for employment? He wants RFK to be the head of health and human services

[bryanlarsen]

Headcount reduction could increase the deficit, not reduce it. Wages are only 5% of the Federal budget; reducing headcount will likely increase waste and increase the spend on expensive contractors.

Especially since the administration is likely to target the IRS especially heavily for headcount reduction. That'll drastically impact revenue.

[scarface_74]

Republicans have never cared about reducing the deficit. Trump isn’t even a traditional Republican. He definitely doesn’t care about the deficit

https://www.investopedia.com/democrats-vs-republicans-who-ha...

[throw0101d]

> Forced RTO has generally been considered a headcount reduction approach, which checks out with new administrative direction.

Reducing government workers may make things worse, as if you don't have enough internal man power and expertise you often have to rely on external consultants, which often cost much more and have things take longer:

* https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/america-needs-a-bigger-better-...

[bdangubic]

if you think this will result in any significant head count reduction you are very mistaken… no one leaves government jobs once they get one and many people are there after taking a paycut coming from private sector. I work in federal government and have not heard a single person yet saying “well, shit, gotta get another job (in THIS market, emphasis mine).

[wrfrmers]

Fully expect the trains/roads/commuter buses to be packed.

[nxobject]

And by "optimized", I'm sure the corporate raider playbook of selling off real estate and then leasing it back will happen.

[kazinator]

The title of that Office Space movie was so visionary.