In announcing his commitment to moving forward with a recently announced five-part telework plan OPM directory John Berry called on agencies to focus on the first two elements of forming and advisory group of telework program manages and undertaking a telework policy review.
The OPM telework plan largely reflects provisions in two bills, HR-1722, the Telework Improvements Act of 2009, and S-707, the Telework Enhancement Act of 2009. Agency telework plans are due to OPM by May 25.
The plan calls on agencies to establish telework managing officer positions, create an appeals process for employees to use if they are denied telework requests, and carry out training, partly with the stated purpose of wearing down managerial resistance to having employees work offsite.
Berry said OPM staff would select a small group of agency telework coordinators to assist in building a framework for policy excellence and then use standards developed by that group to evaluate agency telework policies.