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Return to Article: Federal telework programs slow to catch on, despite agency efforts

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  I am quite supprised at the many ways that some managers get out of allowing some employees to do this. For example, I am paralyzed and had surgery a couple years ago that really hindered my ability to walk, and requested to try and use this program to at least heal without all the pain, but it was refused ..... My position is one that I ALREADY do much of from my home. However my request was denied. Having worked for the Govt. for close to 30 years and just about saving the Govt almost my salary since I began my career.

  A Combat Disabled Vet.

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 15, 2004 8:54 AM
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  You want to see a study in how to "appear" to offer telework in such a way that people won't accept it, look at DLA. My position is telework eligibile, and my organization offered me telework but only "occasional, intermittant." That means that I must get approval for every instance of telework. They offered no rationale for the intermittant finding. Management even went so far as to tell me that I could work in a regular, recurring manner, but that they would call it intermittant.

  It's a question of control, and not really wanting to do the right, fair thing. GM-14's signed off on a telework analysis of each and every employee/position in this organization and they all qualified for intermittant telework. That was because they had sailing orders from HQ. The whole implementation of telework at DLA is a carefully orchestrated smokescreen designed to make them look good in the telework arena, while trying to preserve their contradictory agenda.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 7, 2003 12:55 PM
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  Hanscom AFB is venturing into the telework arena. However, since the current telework agreement is strictly between the supervisor and the employee, there is no centralized data collection point to accurately gauge how many people are actually involved with telework at Hanscom. This is unfortunate because the base deprives itself from the DOT funding available for substantiated decreases in single-commuter drivers.

  In addition, the National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 1384, had to accept a pass/fail civilian performance appraisal system in order to install the telework program for the employees within their bargaining unit. The two other unions on base do not have telework privilages, but retain the standard civilian performance appraisal system. These types of stumbling blocks could be evidence of systemic problems across all agencies, partially explaining a lack of data and enthusiasm to embrace telework.

  Irene Gorczyca Posted October 7, 2003 10:57 AM
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  I work in DoD and estiamte that about 80% of what I do could be done through telework. However, that would require management. Our managers do not even propose flextime! Because they do not know what workers do, they measure job success by the fact they can see you. Therefore, you are expected to be at work (physically) the same hours the manager is at work. If you're not there they do not know what to do or how to evaluate your efforts.

  Teleworking is not going to become a reality at DoD unless and until the head of the Department issues a directive that X% of the civilian workforce in each unit will telecommute at least three days a week! Otherwise, the military could care less about the civilian workforce. Military tries to impose their rules on civilians for promotions, evaluations, work hours, and everything else.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 7, 2003 6:39 AM
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  It's no doubt that the telework programs are not working when agencies like the DOE makes it difficult to get authorization and then often individuals are discouraged from applying. This is the case even for medical flexiplace. On several occasions I could have used it, but I had to come into work or take leave without pay.

  GovExec.com reader Posted October 7, 2003 6:31 AM