President Signs Federal Telework Legislation

The bill requires agencies to establish telework policies and designate a managing officer with direct access to a top agency official to oversee telework programs.

An Information Week article said the bill signing follows the House passage of the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 in mid-November following its passage in the Senate in September (see House Approves Federal Telework Bill).

Now that Obama has signed the measure, federal agencies have six months to come up with policies around teleworking, as well to decide which employees are eligible to do so. They also must notify employees about their telework eligibility in that time frame, according to the news account.

The bill also requires agencies to set up training programs for teleworkers and managers to ensure the process goes smoothly, as well as factor telework into business continuity strategies.