GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Telework measure clears workforce subcommittee

• 47038
  

  My office tried telework. Unbeknownst to us back then, management held back work and claimed production dropped so people were hauled back to the office. Mgmt. is not interested in giving us human working conditions - still have to wade through their attitude to work credit hours - and they can't understand why morale and production are low? A program is in place - just no participants - hmmm wonder why? Why don't they ever ask the people directly instead of our mgmt.

  MickeyB Posted March 23, 2008 5:21 PM
• 45224
  

  Institutionalized mistrust is the reason telework systems are difficult to implement, and understandably so.

  Considering that we, the frequent posters to this blog, have often pointed out that our performance/work often doesn't easily lend itself to measuring systems as opposition to the performance pay system; we must understand that such situations cause bosses to wonder just what we are doing at home. Consider the public's opinion: Can anyone imagine Skeeter's outraged cries if even 15% of the governmental white collar workers worked from home part time? And as much as we dislike the thought, there are quite a few misguided and uninformed individuals like him out there.

  Until the system has an easy and incontrovertible method of work verification, both the bosses and the public will look with skepticism on this initiative. But remember, if such verification comes to fruition, then perhaps a performance pay system could work...

  Tip off Posted March 6, 2008 12:04 PM
• 45111
  

  At the regional office level, the VA limits telework opportunity to a narrow group. But then requires a production rate from those workers that is about 20 percent higher than the rate required of those working from the office. In fact, the telework production requirement is so high that virtually no one elects to participate in the program because they can't reasonably achieve what is being asked of them. Which seems to be exactly the outcome local VA management wants; the appearance of a telework plan with no actual participants. I don't understand how this country can be taken seriously when it talks about reducing energy consumption and dependence on imported oil when it's own agency leaders are not willing to make a good-faith effort to set an example.

  DROman Posted March 5, 2008 9:29 PM
• 44926
  

  The upcoming generation of diverse leaders knows that HR "flexibilities" are not limited to hiring and firing. The days of rank-and-file order are old, unwarranted, and now conflict with empowerment-and-accountability principles as well as potential telework-telecommute efficiences. Further, winter-weather extremes (i.e. ice, sleet, snow) jeopardize the safety and well-being of the workforce, and that's generally followed by parents/guardians of school-aged children having difficult choices/decisions to make. It is time for a positive change. It is time to take much better care of our Nation's working populations and stop exploiting individual leave balances over uncontrollable weather. There is a real need for telecommute/telework--public and private industries--and the agencies/corporatations/firms that adapt to these and other essential work-life balance challenges (read: "that get it") already have the competitive advantage.

  Daleagain Posted March 4, 2008 10:19 AM
• 44925
  

  USDA-RD only allows a select few employees to telecommute and they don't make it easy on them. They will schedule mandatory meetings on employees telecommuting days. When you put in your request for telecommute request slip often they will ignore it unless you remind them. Eventually you have to go to the union and then they will approve it but, it will be an ongoing battle to actually work at home.

  DLX Posted March 4, 2008 10:18 AM
• 44881
  

  Agencies like DCMA only let lower level offices perform some telework. Where there is a clear opportunity telework is ignored simply to maintain an illusion that many more managers are needed. I would think that instead of installing another layer of management to assure the telework policy is being pursued just start cutting agency budgets. I believe that would get their attention and it would be performed. Look at the Washington, DC area and determine how many individuals are teleworking.

  Wayland Burton Posted March 3, 2008 9:08 PM
• 44862
  

  Great news. Especially coming on the heals of the WSJ report that many large companies are reducing their telework efforts.

  Our analysis, shows that the U.S. could reduce crude oil consumption by 388 Million barrels a year if workers who could worked from home, actually did. Collectively they would save almost $25 Billion per year, and reduce foreign oil purchases by $35 Billion a year. That's the equivalent of 48% of our Persian Gulf oil imports. Read more at undress4success.com.

  Kate Lister - Undress4Success Posted March 3, 2008 3:35 PM
• 44836
  

  DFAS does not allow teleworking, only for managers and people with medical issues and then they are severely restricted.

  crazylady Posted March 3, 2008 11:40 AM
• 44819
  

  The CFTC finally put a telework policy in writing in 2006 which, in practice, eliminated teleowork already happening at the agency. It was just re-written but it's not clear anyone has been actually allowed to teleowork yet. (A few select people have been allowed and another few under the Rehab Act.) Essentially, it isn't happening here on any widespread basis or with any regularity. On paper, it doesn't look so bad but in practice, forget it. Perhaps our current Acting Chair plans to change that.

  gov2long Posted March 3, 2008 10:26 AM
• 44789
  

  DLA has negotiated 5 days of telework a week into their Master Agreemant with AFGE Council 169. No one is able to work more than two days a week on telework though.

  panman Posted March 3, 2008 7:33 AM