Agencies are to ensure supervisors verify the accuracy of time and attendance data. Image: Daisy Daisy/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe OPM has called on federal agencies to report more fully and in more detail on telework and remote work by their employees, at a time when agencies are under pressure from the Biden administration and from Congress to better account for, and reduce, offsite work.
A memo on chcoc.gov calls attention to the OMB memo in April—reinforced by a message from the White House in August—calling for a “meaningful” increase in-person work at federal offices, particularly at headquarters and equivalents. The memo does not mention the pressure from Congress but does note that OPM’s data strategy calls for “high quality workforce data” to inform agency decision-making.
“Providing accurate data will help agencies navigate complex workforce issues, such as hybrid work environments, and ensure their strategies and policies increase productivity, resilience, and mission success,” it says.
It points to requirements for agencies to report on employee remote work and telework agreements and links to guidance on how agencies are to code employees through the Enterprise Human Resources Integration system and through payroll systems.
Agencies also are to (in its words):
* Communicate with supervisors and managers that they should periodically review employee Eligibility to Participate in Telework Indicator code within their HR or Time and Attendance system. Only employees who are coded “Eligible to participate in telework” should participate in telework and submit telework hours on timecards.
* Remind employees to diligently record their telework hours using the correct codes for situational and routine telework.
* Ensure supervisors verify the accuracy of time and attendance data routed to them for approval to achieve consistency with approved telework agreements.
* Conduct regular audits of payroll data submitted to EHRI, reconcile data discrepancies, and address quality issues promptly.
* Begin reporting remote work separately from telework through the new data elements Remote Work Instances in a Pay Period and Remote Work Hours in a Pay Period in FY24.
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