52% of the SBA Lending Industry Supports SBA Employees Return to Office

February 25, 2025

Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher

52% of the SBA Lending Industry Supports SBA Employees Return to Office

The response to our poll reveals passionate stances on both sides of the issue of whether SBA employees should return to the office 100% of the time.

There is a good representation of both lenders and SBA employees in the comments. While the poll is unscientific, the comments clearly articulate strong beliefs of those on both sides of the issue. Here are some select comments. You may view other responses at this link: colemanreport.com/return-to-office-poll-comments/

Yes, SBA Employees Need to be in the Office 100%

The private sector has already moved away from the work-from-home model, as demonstrated by a recent Zoom call between Jamie Dimon and Chase employees. It has long been argued that the government should be representative of the public; now is the time for the SBA and other agencies to act on this principle. I fully support the transition back to in-office work.

Inefficiency is unacceptable and if it takes everyone in a central location to help achieve efficiency then that should be the case. Working in an office is not a penalty, it is a privilege. Think about how much you learn through “osmosis” just being around a team. It’s a good move.

Remote positions should be approved by department management for each position, not as a blanket on-site/remote policy. Wasting unoccupied leased spaces is absurd. Perhaps SBA turnaround time would improve if managed in-person. I talked to an SBA Loan Specialist about an approval, and she was working in her pool with loud music playing, unbothered with zero sense of urgency. A Litigation Plan request had a 56-day response time.

SBA employees need to return to the office to ensure efficient operation of government programs. Current processing delays are negatively impacting business owners and banks, who should be the priority. Government employees must recognize that their role is to serve American business owners and meet their needs—not the other way around. I fully support President Trump’s position of getting the workers back to the office. If they do not like it, let them resign. Go DOGE!

No, SBA Employees Do Not Need to be in the Office 100%

Remote work allows SBA to attract top-tier talent. This will be a loss for the SBA. Return-to-work efforts are myopic and quixotic. The SBA is better under a remote work structure, as it helped break up many of the cliques and power systems that leadership and charismatic coworkers could use to impose informal control beyond the normal structure. Workers have been more willing to speak up since going remote. I like what Trump and Elon are doing — except for this. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.

I live in a rural area and have no desire to leave my hometown. Work from home allows me to have a great career in SBA lending without leaving my community. I believe SBA staff should have the same opportunity as SBA lenders to live where they want.

Employees who work from home are just as effective as those who work in an office. The insinuation that SBA employees have been slacking for the past 5 years is insulting and untrue. While certain positions might require some in-office work, not all do.

Work-life balance is important. If SBA management has production issues with their employees, those employees should be let go. Studies show that remote work can be more productive.

It’s 2025, not 1985. I’ve been working from home for two years. I have never been more productive.

She should focus on whether the work is done, not where it is done. Studies clearly show workers are more productive when they can work from home. Not that a Trump appointee would care that the workers are happier too.

Unsure Whether SBA Employees Need to be in the Office 100%

If work can be done remotely and productivity is maintained, it should continue. However, not everyone prefers this arrangement. A hybrid schedule with employees alternating office days could be a compromise. This approach would allow for reducing office space and potentially lowering overhead costs. As long as work is completed satisfactorily, the location should not matter. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that working from home can be effective.

You may view other responses at this link: colemanreport.com/return-to-office-poll-comments/