Federal Workers Say Mask-Wearing Is Erratic, Fear Telework’s End

Federal workers trickling back to offices across the country are finding a lack of consistent mandates on crucial coronavirus protections, such as mask-wearing and social distancing.

Few federal workers are back in the office yet, and agency protocols could get tougher if leaders start to move away from telework as the default option. But for now, employees at several agencies—including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Social Security Administration, and the State Department—report a mixed bag of safety guidelines and enforcement, with some agencies applying more stringent rules than others.

“I am safe in the office only because everyone else ...