GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Procurement agency to take telework lead

• 33130
  

  I'm a Budget Analyst who works a compressed schedule & telecommutes one day in a two week time period on Friday. I live south of DC and must travel I-95 which is horrendous on Friday and instead of the normal 1 & 1/2 hour trip, I spent 2-3 hours getting home on Friday afternoon, even in a Van Pool. My Supervisor allowed me to telecommute on several occasions when I was too ill to come to work but could telecommute between bathroom trips, therefore not leaving a gap at the office. I let my Supervisor know when I log in each morning and my work agenda for the day, when I take my Lunch, and logging off for the day. This has worked well for others civilians and military personnel in the office also.

  Civilian Worker Posted September 17, 2007 9:32 AM
• 33019
  

  Assuming Ms. Doan's comment about security being the "easy part" or the telecommuting challenge was a joke, telecommuting can be very effective. However, properly securing Virtual Private Networks as well as wireless internet connections in users' homes is indeed challenging and not cheap to implement or maintain. Hopefully, GSA will take a serious approach and fund the required technology. BTW, was Ms. Doan granted a presidential pardon on those charges of Hatch Act violations/contracting violations? Not much coverage of that lately.

  Don Posted September 14, 2007 10:17 PM
• 32958
  

  Before coming to work for the Government I telecommuted three days a week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I was considered a "top performer", but but in all honesty I was just able to do my job without interruptions, or worse, getting tasking that was out of scope.

  The key to implementing telework in government is that you need to have a "telework agreement" between the manager and the employee that specifically states what the employee's duties are, and what metrics will be used to judge performace away from the office. Once that is done, most managers will find that their job is much easier than before, not harder.

  David Posted September 14, 2007 8:23 AM
• 32929
  

  I echo Mr. Hight's comments. We work in what has been called the "ideal situation" for teleworkers, and for one of the two agencies most responsible for championing telework. And yet, our requests have repeatedly been turned down. Maybe Ms. Doan will change that!

  Al Dias Posted September 13, 2007 4:27 PM
• 32882
  

  We have been asking management to let us telework for years. Management constantly tells us the most important part of our job is to answer the phone. We authorize repairs on government vehicles and do that by fielding calls from repair vendors, negotiating, and inputting information on the computer. What better reason to telework? Management keeps telling us telework is not feasible for us!

  Michael Hight Posted September 13, 2007 8:47 AM
• 32881
  

  Ms Doan is sooooo right ... the hard part is changing old school managers mindsets! Besides the environmenal benefits ... working from a location where the constant work place disruptions are eliminated and one can focus on the task/objective would be a blessing and plus for productivity. I hope she succeeds in her endeavor. The change she seeks is years (decades) overdue. BTW - nearly 10 years ago two employees in my charge teleworked (4 out of 5 days per week) ... they were the highest producers. The negative was that THEY a bit out of the loop being a way from the day-to-day work environment.

  Jeff Posted September 13, 2007 8:43 AM