DISA will use telework to retain displaced employees

Allowing employees to telework, at least part time, is one way the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) plans to retain employees as it relocates to Fort Meade, Md., according to a human resources plan published recently.

By 2011, the DISA headquarters workforce will relocate to Fort Meade as part of a Base Realignment and Closure. The agency wants to retain as many employees as possible, and telework will play a role in that effort, according to the transfer plan.

DISA’s program allows employees to telework a maximum of three days a week with supervisory approval. DISA reimburses half of employees’ cost of having high-speed Internet service at home, but the reimbursement is only for employees who regularly telework.

Telework has become an increasingly effective employment tool for DISA, according to the report. The program's objectives include promoting the agency s an employer of choice, improving employee productivity and improving retention and recruitment.

DISA also manages telework centers for employees. The centers include the Joint Spectrum Center, Annapolis, Md., Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Va. and the DISA Joint Interoperability Test Command, Indianhead, Md.

“DISA will continue to utilize existing telework centers throughout the surrounding communities to increase the number of eligible positions to telework on a regular and recurring basis,” the report states.