GovernmentExecutive.com

The five government agencies under the gun for making telework opportunities available to workers passed their annual review, but they face congressional scrutiny to expand their programs.

Government Accountability Office reviews of the Commerce, Justice and State departments, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Small Business Administration found that while they had disparate methods of reporting telework opportunities, each agency met the requirements of legislation that threatened to strip $5 million in appropriations if opportunities to work away from the office were not readily available to employees.

But in letters to the agencies dated Sept. 14, Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-Va., chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Science, said, "The committee remains very concerned that agencies are not fully embracing telework opportunities."

Wolf wrote that his committee believes the agencies still must take substantial steps toward increasing telework opportunities and that they anticipate the number of telework-eligible positions and qualified employees to grow. The agencies are expected to file quarterly reports to address these concerns.

Wolf also called on President Bush to encourage agencies to actively support and encourage telework.

The legislator wrote in a Sept. 15 letter that the private sector is struggling to work with government agencies in the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts because certain federal jobs are not allowed to participate in telework programs.

Wolf added that telework is key to ensuring the continuity of government operations in the event of a catastrophe and he appreciates GSA's move to expand its offer to all agencies of free use of 14 telework centers in the Washington area.

Legislation for fiscal 2006 passed by the House on June 16 includes language that also requires NASA and the National Science Foundation to certify that opportunities to work away from the office are available to employees who are deemed eligible.

The Senate version of the bill passed on Sept. 15 does not include the language and the differences will be resolved in conference committee.

COMMENTS

• ALL of our employees are not in uniforms or carry guns and must be at an airport or seaport or a "Customshouse". Many are in support roles and could easily perform our work at home or in telework centers. However, DHS is simply filled to the brim with insecure, incompetent, egotistical control freaks. As one writer so aptly pointed out; no one is rewarded for preventing problems; only for fixing them. The control freaks live to create the problems then manage by crisis. One thing I've learned in 27 years of "servitude"; if it makes sense it ain't happening in the Government!! Old Grunt Posted September 22, 2005 7:51 AM
• you have allowed the concentration of about 25,000 people at the pentagon (some are in Crystal City and Rosslyn but Rummy will move them further away). Based on my knowledge of the work performed in many units I deal with, my best guess is that 80% of the people could spend two days a week telecommuting. However, the military looks on this as a hinderence because they cannot even handle flex time. Everyone has to be available all the time because someone (usually Congress) might ask a question that only one person can answer and theat person needs to be at work regardless of what they do. also, the management cannot measure output so they use the substitue of hours in the office as output. Ask those at the pentagon and they will tell you that there is a premium on coming in early and leaving late - not on what you produce. Finally, performance is measured in terms of solving problems, not preventing them! Therefore, you need to be here to get the problems started so you can solve them. You are not performing and are deemed unnecessary if no problems happen in your area of work. for example, the outstanding computer guys are those that can solve problems quickly. The performers should be the guys that stop the problems before they happen but not at the pentagon! taxpayer Posted September 21, 2005 8:36 AM
• I have seen so many negative perceptions about telecommuting, I felt I had to write. I take total exception to telecommuters (in a previous mailbag letter) being referred to as "unnecessary to the operation, bottom feeders in ability, and vulnerable for contracting out." This letter from a DOD employee reinforces stereotypes as well as illustrates that as long as Federal agencies continue to embrace military-style, top-down management, the situation will never improve. Kudos to Rep. Wolfe for insisting that alternatives to traditional management and work environments be explored! I am a person with a respiratory disability with over 65 awards and commendations for outstanding work performance. The opportunity to telecommute has enabled me to continue gainful employment, remain available in emergency situations, use the time I would have been commuting to work to continue my education, and place tougher demands on myself for accountability than I have ever received from a Federal manager. Pride in your work continues, regardless of where that work is performed. Considering that implementing a successful telecommuting program also dovetails the President's New Freedom Initiative, Management Directive 715, and strategic goals to recruiting/retaining a more diverse workforce, telecommuting should be another tool in the arsenal that progressive managers should be rallying to adopt. Maria Krug Posted September 21, 2005 7:55 AM