GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Telework pace picks up at National Science Foundation

• 47118
  

  Personally I like tele-work, however its not for everyone and some will abuse it, I'll be watching to see if they are asking for additional headcount for 08

  dan ketter Posted March 24, 2008 11:13 PM
• 47094
  

  "Flexiplace" has long been included in our negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement here at DOE Headquarters but several managers have resisted or outright banned Telework arrangements for their employees. NTEU has won numerous grievances over these refusals and recently obtained a favorable Arbitration Ruling that has widespread effect on the acceptability of Flexiplace at DOE.

  NTEU has recommended that most if not all employees be allowed to participate in "Situational Flexiplace" arrangements whereby they could work offsite when horrific weather occurs at their homes up to 2 hours from the job site but doesn't shut down the government. Even more importantly, we have urged the Department to approve Situational Flexiplace during our upcoming "Continuity of Operations (COOP) exercises. If and when employees are told en masse to work from home for whatever reason (e.g. pandemic flu), only those already "in the system" will have the ability to log into the DOE email system and actually work from home. Those not set up in advance will be told to take leave or if without sufficient leave will be placed on LWOP. That in itself is reason enough for managers to approve Flexiplce Agreeents now.

  To date this recommendation to management has not been acted upon.

  The National Science Foundation should be applauded for being in the forefront. On the other hand, wouldn't you think the Department of Energy would be embracing Telework if for nothing else to cut down on the number of cars on the roads?

  Barry Clark Posted March 24, 2008 2:50 PM
• 46794
  

  It should also be noted that managers continue to be a hindrance to obtaining telework clearance at NSF AND that NSF does NOT support flexible schedule (e.g., compressed work week) options.

  Union Member #2 Posted March 19, 2008 3:34 PM
• 46711
  

  Although no longer relevant I suppose, it should be noted that NSF management vigorously opposed the implementation of Telework at the agency. I wasn't directly involved, but I believe that it took years, an official complaint, and the involvement of at least one member of Congress before NSF management finally agreed to sit down with the Union to work out a Telework program for the agency.

  UnionMember Posted March 18, 2008 10:42 AM
• 46685
  

  Not being familiar with NSF's mision, I just checked out their web site. It seems to me that the type of work performed in this agency conforms perfectly to a telework atmosphere - reviewing, analyzing and writing reports, making recommendations on proposed projects - this is the type of work that can be performed in a "non office" environment. My issue with telework is that it's being forced down the throat of agencies whose mission may not lend itself to a telework atmosphere. My agency has field offices whose employees work with the public daily. Even the admin staff should be available for emergency purchase order requirements, certifying payments - I've been told that the person needed is "working from home today and can't certify, so wait until tomorrow". Telework definitely needs to be offered only on a case by case basis - it's not discrimination not to allow an employee to work at home if their specific job doesn't lend itself to it. I also think that telework agreements need to be enforced - when it says you will have childcare if you have children at home, then you need to prove that you're not babysitting on the day you're working from home.

  Marie Posted March 18, 2008 8:51 AM