Trump’s order earlier said all federal employees must agree by Thursday to end the remote work arrangement. Trump said those that refuse would be offered “dignified, fair departure from the federal government utilizing a deferred resignation program.”

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management sent a letter on Jan. 22 to agencies’ heads requiring them to revise work scheduled by Jan. 24 and implement them in 30 days. On Monday, a memo spelled out guidance on collective bargaining obligations.

The Veterans Administration became the first agency to publicly spell out the rules.

Eligible employees must work full-time at their agency worksites unless excused due to a disability, qualifying medical condition or other compelling reason, the agency said.

Also exceptions may also be allowed for military spouses with permanent change of station orders.

More than 20% of VA’s more than 479,000 employees have telework or remote work arrangements.

Most workers not returning to work by Feb. 24 will be terminated except by April 28 for non-bargaining unit employees.

Requirements for bargaining unit employees will be announced at a later date.

Remote work and telework arrangements for supervisors and non-bargaining unit employees outside 50 miles of an agency facility will not be terminated at this time. Further guidance will be forthcoming regarding these arrangements, the agency said.

“This is a commonsense step toward treating all VA employees equally,” acting VA Secretary Todd Hunter said. “Most VA clinical staff don’t have the luxury of working remotely, and we believe the performance, collaboration and productivity of the department will improve if all VA employees are held to the same standard.”

Trump’s executive order signed on his first day as president said agency heads must “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.”

The order has drawn scrutiny.

“Providing eligible employees with the opportunity to work hybrid schedules is a key tool for recruiting and retaining workers in both the public and private sectors,” American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said in a statement on Jan. 20.

“Hybrid work has been so successful that many agencies have been working to consolidate unused office space and sell off properties that are costly to maintain — meaning there may no longer be enough office space to accommodate an influx of on-site workers.

Doug Collins, a former U.S. House member from Georgia, has not been confirmed yet.