Telework is becoming part of the normal work week for many government workers. This is due in part to better technology and also greater willingness by bosses to let people work from home.

"I think the range of positions that lend themselves to telework just continues to expand," said Jack Penkoske, director of manpower, personnel and security at the Defense Information Systems Agency, where nearly half the staff already teleworks at least once a week.

In the past, managers were reluctant to let people work from home or any place but their office. Even today, the numbers are quite small. The Office of Personnel Management reports that only 9 percent of eligible federal employees telework regularly. With last summer's gas prices hitting $4 a gallon and government workers' increasing interest in working from home, it was only a matter of time before the government changed its position. 

"We are starting to see a lot more interest in collaboration tools," said Cindy Auten, general manager of the Telework Exchange, a private/public partnership that supports federal teleworkers. 

There are other benefits, too. Telework keeps workers on the job even if offices are closed due to things such as weather. And it keeps continuity of operations alive and working when there is an emergency situation such as the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist acts. 

For more on telework in government:
-check out this FCW.com article