Crises Heighten Interest in Telework—For a While

Crisis situations tend to pique interest among federal agencies in allowing their employees to telework, according to a Congressional Research Service analysis. “Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the anthrax attacks soon thereafter, telework gained renewed attention. In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and concern about a potential avian flu pandemic, federal agencies are reviewing continuity of operations (COOP) planning to prepare for future emergency situations. These emergencies could include catastrophic terrorist attacks, natural disasters, public health crises, or civil unrest that could result in evacuations and federal building shutdowns,” it said. However, CRS said that its research, including interviews with GSA telework specialists and other telework analysts, “showed that such interest diminished over time — until the next catastrophic event.”