Traditional barriers to having federal employees telework—prominent among which has always been resistance of managers—are decreasing as the program continues to be more widely used and accepted, according to the latest OPM report.
“Reducing barriers to telework is critical to our ability to fully realize the benefits of telework. For example, the report shows that compared to employees who face barriers to telework, employees who telework have more positive job attitudes and are less likely to want to leave their agencies,” says the report.
“Although barriers such as management resistance and tight budgets still present challenges, agencies are using creative strategies to improve the implementation of telework programs. Agencies have also taken important steps to ensure data security and enhance awareness, support, and accountability,” it adds.
“In response to management and cultural resistance, agencies have continued to focus on training and engagement of their management and leadership. They also draw heavily on sharing best practices among agencies and on OPM guidance on telework issues. A number of agencies also use communication and marketing to increase awareness and break down resistance to telework,” it said.
Among agencies polled, management resistance remains the most frequently reported hindrance, however.
Another traditional barrier is concern about data security, but the report said that agencies are pursuing “a variety of methods” to in that area, including two-factor authentication for remote access, encryption of personally identifying information, restrictions on what information can be removed from an agency facility and by whom, and better password protection.