The latest trends for federal telework
The Office of Personnel Management's annual report shows how agencies are measuring and managing telework -- and where better data is still needed.
What: The 2016 "Status of Telework in the Federal Government" report -- the Office of Personnel Management's fourth annual overview required by the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010.
Why: Federal agencies have embraced telework -- albeit to widely varying degrees -- to save money, aid in recruitment and retention efforts, and provide for continuity of operations, among other benefits. And while teleworking continues to increase among those who are allowed to do so, the number of telework-eligible employees has plateaued at 44 percent, down from a high of 47 percent in fiscal 2012.
Telework Participation, FY 2011-2015
- Percentage of ALL federal employees
- Percentage of ELIGIBLE federal employees
Agencies' ability to accurately measure telework -- and particularly its benefits -- also continues to fall short of expectations. The OPM report digs into the data that is available, details the steps some leaders are taking to encourage telework and spotlights individual agency efforts that could serve as models.
To further expand telework programs, OPM concludes, "agencies must approach their programs systematically as strategic change management initiatives," with explicit goals and better tracking of progress against them.
Verbatim: "Agencies frequently noted that telework is important for retaining highly skilled employees who may find opportunities elsewhere or be eligible for retirement. Agencies also noted the use of situational and medical telework to retain employees with personal and family needs. The most common strategies leveraged telework to retain specific employees whose career opportunities, personal circumstances, or family circumstances created a need for geographic flexibility."
Click here for the full report.