Federal agencies continue to expand telework opportunities for their employees without having a good handle on what they are spending to make it happen and what they potentially are saving as a result, according to GAO.
“Assessments that include information on benefits, net costs savings, and costs can help decision makers in determining the overall effects of their telework programs and the progress achieved,” it said.
However, while OPM provides training and other resources to help agencies with their telework programs, the financial aspect is one area where it falls short, GAO said. “OPM guidance lacks information about how agencies can use existing data collection efforts to more readily identify benefits of their telework programs, and OPM has not provided guidance on how agencies should calculate the costs of their programs,” it said.
Further, OPM’s annual reports on telework contain less information than in the past regarding cost savings. For example, the 2012 report included 66 examples of how telework can save money, while the following year’s report included just 29. In its 2014 and 2015 requests, OPM didn’t even ask for such information, the GAO report said.
The main areas of potential savings from telework include reduced energy use in federal facilities, lower costs in employer-paid transit benefits, and the potential for reducing real estate costs. Main areas of cost include IT set-up and related ongoing costs, training, and oversight of the program.
