General

Telework policy considerations that may help guide agencies in crafting their post reentry policies include:

• Make telework determinations based on the functions of the job, and not mere managerial preference;
• Treat employees with similar work functions across work units similarly when determining telework eligibility;
• To the extent possible, try to align telework programs with employee needs and the business goals of each work unit to avoid a one-size fits all approach to telework participation;
• When possible, have consistent telework policies across locations;
• When possible, consider restructuring jobs so that all employees, theoretically, could be eligible for at least situational or occasional telework;
• Make all employees aware of the agency’s telework policy and criteria for telework participation;
• Require all teleworkers and supervisors of teleworkers complete appropriate training before entering into a telework agreement;
• Provide adequate telework training to supervisors on how to assess and manage the performance of teleworkers; and
• If appropriate, allow some or all teleworkers to meet emergency operations or COOP duties through telework rather than reporting to the normal or designated COOP site. Encourage mission essential and non-mission essential employees to practice telework to help the agency prepare to meet emergency situations.