Hoyer Supports Telework Improvements Act

Bill Will Improve the Efficiency of the Federal Workforce, Help Employees Balance Work and Family

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) voted today in support of the Telework Improvements Act, legislation requiring Federal agencies to establish a policy to authorize employees to telework.  Providing Federal employees the option to telework will promote the conservation of gasoline, reduce congestion, lower commuting costs, help them balance work and family, and provide an alternative means to work when outside forces like weather prevent a normal commute.

"I have long championed a telework option for Federal workers," stated Rep. Hoyer. "With today's technology, many employees can perform at least some of their work functions at their homes or at nearby telework centers, eliminating or reducing the need to commute.  The benefits of this bill are many.  It ensures continuity of operations in the face of dangerous weather conditions, reduces energy consumption, helps employees balance work and family, and achieves cost savings for the taxpayer."

The Telework Improvements Act would modernize the federal government by expanding and improving the availability of teleworking in Federal agencies.  Telework provides a number of benefits including reduced energy consumption and traffic congestion, competitive hiring and retention, cost savings, and emergency preparedness.  Despite these and other benefits, many agencies continue to underutilize telework.

Under this bill, the head of each Federal agency is required to establish a policy allowing employees to telework and must designate a Telework Managing Officer for the agency.  The bill also directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to issue regulations and other guidance to agencies on issues related to telework and requires OPM and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to evaluate and report on agency telework programs.  In addition, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is required under the bill to issue guidelines on information security protections for telework.

The bill will not add to the deficit and achieves cost savings for taxpayers by increasing productivity.  For example, John Berry, the Director of OPM, estimated that during the severe winter storms and snowstorms that crippled the Washington, DC region this past winter, telework reduced the estimated cost of lost productivity by $29 million a day.  On that occasion, telework also worked as an important tool for ensuring continuity of essential government services.

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