{
  "id": "RL30863",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL30863",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 102066,
      "date": "2002-04-03",
      "retrieved": "2016-05-24T20:12:41.310941",
      "title": "Telework in the Federal Government: Background, Policy, and Oversight",
      "summary": "Advances in information and computer technology; the development of the Internet; and the\nexplosion of wireless and digital products, including powerful laptops, hand-held electronic devices,\nand remote work-access capabilities, have given some federal employees the ability to telework --\nwork anytime from almost anyplace. Telework emerged as an option for the federal workforce over\nthe last decade. Management considerations, such as productive and satisfied workers; environmental\nconsiderations, such as reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality; and quality of life\nconsiderations, such as accommodating the short- or long-term health problems or family\nresponsibilities of employees, have been offered as justification for telework programs. Some believe\nthat the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the\ndiscovery of anthrax in Washington, DC, and other cities have fundamentally changed the workplace\nand demonstrated the practical application of telework to the continued operation of the government. \nIssues of security, crisis management, disaster recovery, and remote access to office computer\nsystems are prompting some federal executive and legislative branch agencies and their employees\nto expand existing telework programs or to consider telework, although in many cases, how to\nimplement telework remains unclear.\n  Reservations about telework include managerial concerns about maintaining performance and\nproductivity in the office or organization with fewer workers at the central site; the security of\ngovernment records and the use of software licensed to the government on computers at the\nalternative work sites; and the availability of funding to provide necessary support for employees to\nwork away from the main office. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) reported in January\n2002 that 74,487 federal employees telecommute. It is not known how many legislative branch staff\ntelework. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the judicial branch does not\ncurrently have any teleworkers. Policies on telework are evolving. General policies and guidance\non telework programs in the executive branch have been established by the General Services\nAdministration and OPM. Although there are no corresponding entities in the legislative branch, a\ncomparison of the policies and guidance for existing telework programs in this branch indicate that\nthey are quite similar to those in the executive branch. Among the factors that reportedly contribute\nto successful telework experiences are top management support, a clear telework agreement that\nincludes expectations and measurable goals, and accountability and performance results.\n  Congress may remain interested in the issue of federal telework. Section 359 of  P.L. 106-346 \ndirects executive agencies to establish policies under which eligible employees could telecommute. \nThe House Subcommittee on Technology and Procurement Policy conducted hearings in March and\nSeptember 2001 on telework. This report discusses telework in the federal government, including\nbackground, views on telework, policy, implementation within the executive and legislative branches,\nand future considerations.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL30863",
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      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "American Law",
    "Domestic Social Policy",
    "Economic Policy",
    "Foreign Affairs"
  ]
}