US House Approves Bill to Expand Telecommuting

According to this article in Federal Computer Week, the US House of Representatives has passed the Telework Improvements Act that would require federal government agencies to develop telecommuting programs that allow eligible employees to work from home at least 20 percent of their working hours every two weeks. If you do the math, those employees who work 40 hours per week would be required to work from home two days every two weeks. It's not huge, but it's a step in the right direction.

According to the article, government agencies also would have to designate a senior-level employee as a telework managing officer and would require the head of the Government Accountability Office to submit an annual report to Congress that would evaluate agency progress on their telework programs.

In the Senate, the Telework Enhancement Act of 2008 (S. 1000) is being considered and has already won the approval of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. This act was tacked on as an amendment to the Senate's Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. It would require all executive branch agencies to institute a telework policy, provide training and require a written agreement establishing a clear policy between the employee and the agency.

While the bills seem to be competing, it's good to see that something is being done. Hopefully, the federal government will set an example for other employers to encourage telecommuting.

Keep in mind that the wheels of government turn very slowly at times. After all, Telework Enhancement Act of 2007 has been under consideration since March of last year.