OPM's Strategic Approach: History

OPM's efforts to promote telework, dating back over a decade, were re-energized with the passage of Public Law 106-346. In April 2001, OPM hosted an all day interagency strategic planning session on telework. A key finding of the planning session was the importance of training and marketing. Training and marketing efforts in 2001 included a seminar for 300 agency representatives, presentations at conferences inside and outside the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, a meeting for senior agency officials, and a satellite broadcast. Also in 2001, OPM joined with GSA to launch www.telework.gov, providing one-stop access to telework information for the Federal community.

Internet-Based Training Program

In 2001, with impetus from the Human Resources Management Council, OPM planned for development of an internet-based telework training program to provide resources and tools for managers, employees, human resources staff, and telework coordinators, and to help facilitate expansion of telework governmentwide. Twenty agencies were involved in the design of the training program.

The main elements of the training program include:

• A module for Federal managers to help implement strategies that will overcome the common barriers to telework;

• A module for prospective teleworkers to establish positive attitudes toward telework by helping to overcome common employee fears and develop employees' time management, task management, and communications skills; and

• An internet information resource for managers, employees, human resources staff, telework coordinators, and others with an interest in telework issues.

In October 2002, OPM provided funding and the project was launched. The training will be free of charge to all Federal agency employees, and will be accessed through www.golearn.gov, the principal site for e-learning and one of the five E-Government initiatives led by OPM.

Telework Handbook for Managers and Supervisors

This guidebook addresses what telework is, how to get started, overcoming supervisory challenges, the manager's role, and performance management. It also includes: telework studies and training material websites, telework for the disabled, IT information, sample telework surveys, a telework suitability assessment tool, a sample telework agreement, a supervisor checklist, a safety guide for the home work space, information on continuity of operations, and frequently asked questions and answers. It is expected to be published in the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2003.

Telework Reference Guide

OPM developed a pamphlet, Telework in the Federal Government: A Management Priority, which provides quick information at a glance about the benefits of telework. The pamphlet is used to market telework at conferences, seminars and other events. It was used as the primary handout during Public Service Recognition Week in May 2002, the ITAC conference in September 2002 and the International Personnel Management Association (IPMA) Conference in December 2002, as a means of expanding telework in the Federal Government.

Telework Center Visit

A January 25, 2002, visit to the Bowie State Telework Center by Kay Coles James, the OPM Director, Representative Steny Hoyer, other Members of Congress, and senior agency representatives, emphasized OPM's commitment to telework's flexibilities. This event highlighted the role that technology can play to increase productivity while enhancing recruiting and retention, improving the quality of life for Federal employees, and alleviating traffic congestion.

2002 Survey

In an effort to emphasize the importance of the survey and accurate reporting, Director James signed and sent the request for data to the heads of Federal agencies, asking that an "executive telework champion" be designated to foster a better understanding among managers and supervisors of telework's business benefits. As a result, all responding agencies designated an executive telework champion and a list has been compiled. A new electronic format was devised to make it easier for agencies to input and transmit survey data.

Public Service Recognition Week

During Public Service Recognition Week, May 6 -11, 2002, OPM partnered with GSA to showcase telework and to market telework to the Federal community. The display captured the attention of employees who were unaware of telework or who wanted more information. The event provided an opportunity to share telework information with the large number of Federal employees who attended the event. The exhibit was staffed by OPM and GSA employees with experience and expertise in telework. Many visitors raised questions or problem situations involving their desire to telework and were able to get immediate, individualized information and advice. A computer was on hand at the exhibit site which allowed visitors to view www.telework.gov. Visitors were also able to view a specially created telework videotape that provided testimony from teleworkers and their supervisors on the benefits of telework.

President's New Freedom Initiative

In 2002, 1,749 employees were able to telework to accommodate a medical or disabling condition, compared to 939 in 2001. This is an 86 percent increase. On May 31, 2002, OPM launched a new web page, www.opm.gov/disability, "Federal Employment of People with Disabilities," which tied telework to the President's New Freedom Initiative. This Website also links to the joint OPM/GSA telework site and provides access to a July 26, 2001, White House statement in which President Bush said, "I remain committed to tearing down the remaining barriers to equality that face Americans with disabilities today." The 2002 telework report demonstrates an increased ability for Federal employees to telework for medical or disabling conditions.

Agency Outreach Initiative

OPM embarked on an outreach initiative in August and September 2002, by reallocating agency resources and personally visiting 30 Federal agencies to assess their telework program barriers and successes, and to drive the initiative forward. During the visits OPM staff discussed the status of each agency's telework program and ways OPM could assist them in fully implementing and establishing their programs. Several agencies stated that additional training resources for managers and employees would be an important asset to the success of telework. Additional training would assist agencies to overcome resistance barriers as well as provide additional resources and guidance for agency telework improvement and implementation. OPM informed agencies of the Internet-based training program which will be available to all Federal employees at no cost by the third quarter of FY 2003. Several agencies requested that OPM host more face-to-face meetings with the Federal agencies. As a result, Quarterly Telework Coordinators' Meetings were established.

OPM Quarterly Telework Coordinators' Meetings

The first Quarterly Telework Coordinators' Meeting was held on November 5, 2002, and attended by 53 agencies' representatives. The first meeting focused on the 2003 telework report in an effort to obtain accurate survey data. Attendees were provided a copy of the survey, answers to specific survey questions, and offered future help with the survey. The second meeting is scheduled for February 2003.

E-Gov/E-Payroll Initiative

Currently, there is no standardized governmentwide method for agencies to track telework activity. As a result, OPM has been meeting with the OPM e-Gov officials to explore the possibility of including the tracking of telework in the standardized e-Payroll system currently being developed.

OPM/GSA Telework Strategy Group

To assure that our activities remain focused on real needs, we continue to strengthen our partnership with GSA through quarterly strategy meetings. These meetings, which include executive level staff, help OPM and GSA focus on the most important telework issues. The Interagency Telework Issues Working Group study of governmentwide telework policies, devoted a section to technology and made a number of recommendations for collaboration between GSA, OPM, and the CIO Council. GSA and OPM are working on a number of recommendations, including the joint Federal telework website, www.telework.gov, and quarterly meetings hosted by OPM for Agency Telework Coordinators. The telework strategy group is scheduling a briefing for the CIO Council in February to request agencies to:

• Include telework requirements in long range IT and budget plans,

• Assess security vulnerabilities and apply appropriate solutions, and

• Identify and implement telecommunication/connectivity solutions

ITAC Conference

Another successful venture of the OPM/GSA telework partnership was the Federal Telework Update Session held on September 27, 2002, in conjunction with the International Telework Association and Council (ITAC) Member Conference. The ITAC is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the growth and success of work independent of location. ITAC sponsors research, holds educational events, distributes publications, disseminates information about telework, and assists businesses and the public to optimize the advantages of working remotely. Fifty Federal agency partners attended the OPM conference session. OPM participated in the ITAC conference to:

• Partner with a major organization which is dedicated to promoting telework and demonstrate the many achievements government agencies have made in administering telework programs, and

• Learn best practices and strategies from successfully teleworking organizations that can be shared with other government agencies.

Congressional Staff Telework Briefing

On November 20, 2002, OPM delivered a briefing on the Federal Government's telework program to a variety of Congressional staff members including those from the offices of Representatives Tom Davis, Frank Wolf and Steny Hoyer, and Senator John McCain. The briefing was sponsored by Women's Policy, Inc., a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization providing nonpartisan public policy research, and legislative analysis to policymakers. The history of telework in the Federal Government was highlighted with emphasis on OPM's current role in assisting Federal agencies to meet the current telework legislative mandate.

World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Meetings

In 2002, two IMF meetings were held in Washington, DC. Because of the many planned demonstrations in connection with these meetings, OPM provided guidance to Federal departments and agencies to help employees avoid possible traffic congestion in the downtown Washington, DC, area. Employees were encouraged to schedule their AWS day off or telework at home or at a telework center on these days so that the business of government could continue.

FY 2002 Telework Center Costs/Usage

In OPM's December 2001 Report to the House Committee on Appropriations, "Federal Agency Efforts to Promote and Use Telecenters," OPM analyzed data gathered by the General Services Administration on the telework center fees and usage rates of GSA-managed telework centers, by 20 executive agencies that were identified in Section 630(a) of Public Law 105-277, for fiscal years 1999, 2000, and 2001. Table 5 below contains data gathered for fiscal year 2002, including data on five additional agencies not covered by the law.

* These agencies are not covered by Section 630(a) of Public Law 105-277.

Fifteen of the 20 agencies covered by Section 630(a) of Public Law 105-277 provided funding for telework center usage fees. Five of the 20 agencies had no one assigned to telework centers and spent no money on telework center usage. Telework center usage is up by 13 percent based on the number of users.