The telework program at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, long touted as a model program until complaints about abuse surfaced in reports and congressional hearings, has received a generally positive review from an outside group brought in to look into the situation.
The National Academy of Public Administration report says that “it would appear unlikely that [time and attendance] abuse is widespread or unique to teleworkers, and it does not appear to reflect the actions of the workforce as a whole.”
“The teleworking and hoteling programs have benefitted the agency by saving costs in real estate, allowing the agency to perform work during office closures, and has contributed to the recruitment and retention of employees. The Office’s 20-year roll out of teleworking has been deliberative and the agency has routinely sought input and feedback from all employees, unions and their many stakeholders to continually improve the workforce structure,” it said.
The group further found no difference in conduct or performance between teleworkers and non-teleworkers.
However, it said that the agency should incorporate suggestions raised by many supervisors it interviewed who said a clearer understanding of the rules is needed.
