House passes bill encouraging telework

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., would require all agency heads to set policies allowing qualified workers to telework at least 20 percent of the hours worked in a two-week period, or generally the equivalent of two work days.

"A happy workforce is a productive workforce," Davis said. Allowing federal workers to telecommute "can help boost productivity by cutting down on commuting time," he said, adding that it would reduce traffic congestion and provide relief from high gas prices.

Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., said more telework could help the government hire and keep workers as its aging workforce retires.

The National Treasury Employees Union praised the passage of the bill (H.R. 4106), and called for passage of its Senate counterpart, (S. 1000), which has won the approval of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

"There is abundant evidence that telework programs have a wide range of positive impacts on employees, their agencies and their communities," said NTEU president Colleen M. Kelley. "Among other welcome results, they boost employee productivity and morale-in particular by making it easier to balance their work and family responsibilities -- and they help in reducing traffic congestion and related pollution."