The General Services Administration’s Office of
Government-wide Policy has issued management regulations
for implementing and operating alternative workplace
arrangements, effective March 17.
According to a notice in the March 17 Federal Register,
agencies may provide or procure new or excess equipment
for alternative worksites as long as it is clear that the
equipment still belongs to the government and an audit
trail shows where it is.
Agencies may use appropriated funds to install telephone
lines and necessary equipment — including underutilized
computers – and pay monthly charges in private residences
or in non-home based sites such as telework centers, the
notice said.
It said agencies may also purchase tech support for
employees in AWA situations, but that if an employee is
teleworking by choice, the agency may require the employee
to pay for or share the costs for using the alternative
space.
Agency heads are also authorized to set personal use
policies in accordance with GSA guidance — allowing
employees to use government equipment for non-government
work during off-duty hours.