Compliance April 3, 2007

Senate Bill Could Make All Federal Employees Eligible for Telework

April 3, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Two U.S. Senators have introduced a measure that could force federal employers - so far sluggish to embrace teleworking - to loosen their restraints by making all federal employees eligible for telework, unless shown otherwise by their employer.
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The Telework Enhancement Act of 2007 – SB 1000 – proposed by Senator Ted Stevens, (R-Alaska), and Senator Mary Landrieu, (D-Louisiana), would reverse the current law that says all employees are ineligible to participate in the telework program unless deemed otherwise by their employing federal agency.

According to a news release, the two legislators say the legislation would improve the cost-efficiency of the federal government and the lives of families by allowing federal employees to work from home on a full- or part-time basis depending on eligibility. They also claim the bill will decrease traffic congestion, cut fuel costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by motor vehicles.

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Other proposals included in the bill would:

  • Require that one full-time employee be designated by each federal agency as a Telework Managing Officer (TMO) who would be responsible for implementing their respective agency’s telework policy, serve as a liaison between employees and managers, develop accountability and productivity criteria, and keep employees informed of their telework eligibility;
  • Require telework training for new employees and managers; and
  • Ensure that employee reviews include a discussion of telework feasibility for each employee.

A bill passed by the House in July 2006 attempted to impose a $5 million appropriations withholding for certain federal agencies if they did not make efforts to increase their number of telecommuters (See House Votes to Tighten Teleworking Requirements).

A study in January showed that federal managers have been reluctant to allow a greater number of employers work remotely because they fear a drop in productivity and loss of face-to-face contact (See Federal Managers Slow to Embrace Telecommuting ). The study also revealed that 35% of federal managers support the practice of teleworking, while 47% do not.      

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