Working Conditions
Due to the wide range of Federal jobs, working conditions are equally variable. While most Federal employees work in office buildings, hospitals, or laboratories; a large number also can be found at border crossings, airports, shipyards, military bases, construction sites, and national parks. Work environments vary from comfortable and relaxed to hazardous and stressful, such as those experienced by law enforcement officers, astronauts, and air traffic controllers.
The vast majority of Federal employees work full time, often on flexible or “flexi-time” schedules that allow workers more control over their work schedules. Some agencies also offer telecommuting or “flexi-place” programs, which allow selected workers to perform some job duties at home or from regional centers.
Some Federal workers spend much of their time away from the offices in which they are based. Inspectors or compliance officers, for example, often visit businesses and worksites to ensure that laws and regulations are obeyed. Some Federal workers frequently travel long distances, spending days or weeks away from home. Auditors, for example, may spend weeks at a time in distant locations.