The Time to Improve Telework in the Federal Government is Now

The last update to federal telework policy was the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, more than twelve years ago—long before the Covid-19 pandemic forced most Americans to quarantine and rely on telework. Given the monumental advances in technology and the best practices learned in recent years, the Federal Managers Association (FMA) is encouraged to see telework policy being discussed again, and proud to endorse the Telework Metrics and Cost Savings Act (H.R. 7951), introduced by Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and John Sarbanes (D-MD). We applauded the House Committee on Oversight and Reform vote to advance the bill for consideration on the full House floor.

In a statement upon introduction, FMA National President Craig Carter cited support for provisions in the bill that would help develop supervisor and manager training on telework and train managers on how to most effectively engage teleworking employees. He noted, “Managers have often been blamed for impeding implementation of telework among their employees, and this could be remedied with managerial training on how to best supervise and improve the productivity of teleworkers.” FMA also supports the clarification of the definition of telework and the focus on expanding telework access to military spouses.

H.R. 7951 would empower the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to develop standards for the collection and use of federal agency data to expand telework, help develop supervisor and manager training on telework, and publish guidance to help agencies manage their telework programs. It would also require agencies to track cost savings through the expansion of telework, among other transparency and accountability provisions.

The legislation was referred to the House Oversight and Reform Committee, where Rep. Connolly chairs the Government Operations Subcommittee. In a press release, Connolly wrote, “The reform included in the Telework Metrics and Cost Savings Act are critical to strengthening federal telework programs in a way that both captures some of the telework gains we made amid the pandemic while also ensuring federal telework is deployed appropriately. This bill will help attract top talent to federal service—regardless of their location.” Rep. Sarbanes, the bill’s cosponsor said, “Federal employee telework has been tested and proven during the COVID-19 pandemic. The flexibility of this program heightened work productivity, improved employee retention and delivered high-quality government service for the American people.”

While similar legislation has not yet been introduced in the U.S. Senate, Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) has shown strong leadership on the issue, saying it’s time to “reinvent the wheel” on telework and the federal workforce. In a 2020 subcommittee hearing, Sen. Lankford said “we have a responsibility to ensure federal workforce strategies are relevant, cost effective and well thought out.” He pointed out we have learned a lot of lessons from private sector telework practices. Lankford also recently introduced the Military Spouse Employment Act (S. 4337), aimed at making it easier for military spouses to find permanent careers via remote work. FMA fully endorses this legislation.

FMA recognizes there will always be jobs where telework is simply not an option. “You cannot turn a screwdriver on an aircraft carrier from your couch in your living room,” Carter said. However, given the flexibilities technology allows us, it is critical that the federal government adapt and take advantage of the opportunities that telework provides, where possible. Telework and remote work are here to stay in both the public and private sectors, and FMA supports giving managers training, tools, and guidance to strengthen telework and remote work into the future.