Telework bill clears Senate

The Senate approved by unanimous consent May 24 a bill to expand telework within the federal government. The Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), would make employees "presumptively eligible" for telework, Akaka said in a statement.

Specifically, the bill would require agencies to designate a Telework Managing Office, coordinate with the Office of Personnel Management in developing telework policies, and incorporate telework into their continuity of operations plans.

"This winter's snowstorms highlighted the need to develop flexible work arrangements to make sure the government can function during disruptive events," Akaka said. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio); the two senators are the senior members of the Senate Homeland Security subcommittee on oversight of government management, the federal workforce, and the District of Columbia.

A House bill that would require agencies to permit employees to telework at least 20 percent of their hours every two weeks failed a roll call vote 268 to 147 on May 6.

In fiscal 2009, 102,900 federal employees teleworked, according to a five year OPM strategic plan, which seeks to increase that number by 50 percent by fiscal 2011, which starts in October.

For more:
- the THOMAS page of the Senate telework bill, S. 707
- the OPM strategic plan, 2010-2015 (.pdf)

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