FAQs - Teleworker Perspective
I've filled out my application and my supervisor has signed it. What do I do now?
You should contact your IC telework coordinator to set up a meeting to talk about IC specific requirements and any other issues that should be discussed before your arrangement begins. For instance, in your IC, your supervisor may not be the final approving official, so your supervisor's signature may not be the last word on whether or not you can telework.
Your telework coordinator will need to keep a copy of your application/agreement on file, whether it is accepted or denied by the approving official.
Can I continue my AWS schedule if I telework?
The telework policy specifically states that telework and AWS are not mutually exclusive, as they are very different arrangements. When you are on your AWS day you are not working. When you are on a telework day, you are working; you are simply not physically in the main office.
However, your supervisor must judge what is feasible for your workgroup in terms of the on-site coverage that is (or isn't) needed. Even if a regular telework schedule is not workable in combination with AWS, your supervisor may be able to allow you to telework on an episodic basis.
What if I decide, after I start teleworking, that I do not want to continue with the agreement I initially requested?
A telework agreement can be terminated at any time (by you or your manager), and you can also request changes to the original agreement. If you no longer wish to telework, you must communicate with your manager that you are terminating your agreement and you should document the termination in writing. If you want to change the agreement, you will need to discuss the changes with your manager and either revise or completely rewrite your telework agreement, depending on how substantial the changes are. In either case, you also need to inform your IC telework coordinator of the termination or changes, and provide them with a copy of the documentation.
The telework agreement mentions regular, ad hoc/situational, and episodic telework. What do these mean?
You can check the telework policy for complete definitions of these terms. The reason that we distinguish between these types of telework - regular (frequent and predictable), episodic (infrequent and predictable), and ad hoc/situational (unpredictable) is to enable teleworkers and managers to choose the telework schedule that best fits their work, their personality, and their organization.
Can I use my own computer for teleworking?
The CIT remote access policy for NIH states that you can, with certain safeguards (see the telework policy for further information). However, you need to contact your IC telework coordinator to determine whether your IC has more restrictive remote access policies.
If you cannot use your own computer due to IC remote access guidelines, and you do not have access to an NIH laptop or desktop computer at your remote site, depending on your job you may need to telework less frequently and plan more carefully on your telework days.
Keep in mind that you can use your own computer to access the web-based e-mail system for NIH or via the NIH portal, and you may be able to accomplish other work tasks without having to access the NIHnet (reading, writing, editing, etc.).
I applied for a telework arrangement and it was denied. I don't think the denial was fair. What can I do?
First, keep in mind that the approving official has to take into account many factors; not only in relation to you, your position, and your performance; but also in relation to the needs of the workgroup and the overall organization. What seems “fair” to you may not work in the larger picture.
You should know the reasons that your request has been denied. The NIH Telework Policy requires that the approving official give the denial in writing, that it be based on business reasons, and that they discuss the denial with you. If this process has not yet occurred, you should set up an appointment to sit down with them and go over your application. Your IC telework coordinator can help facilitate this discussion, if you feel that you need their assistance.
If the approving official has concerns about telework, you might want to propose a pilot period in which you both try out the arrangement, and then sit down to reassess after this limited trial.
If you still feel that the denial was unfair, you may wish to speak to your IC telework coordinator for further guidance. There is no specific process for disputing telework denials beyond the usual avenues at NIH – the NIH Office of the Ombudsman and the EEO process.
