Government Technology
Government Technology: State & Local Government News Articles

Agreement on Telework Signed by GSA, AFGE



Print
Comment

Jun 10, 2008, News Report

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) signed off on a national telework policy that supports the broadest possible use of telework by eligible agency employees. The updated GSA policy allows regular telework frequency to the maximum extent possible without diminished employee or business performance and can range in frequency from one day per week to full time telework.

Telework reduces energy use, cuts down on greenhouse gases, eases traffic, reduces America's dependence on foreign oil, increases worker productivity, saves taxpayer dollars, makes us better prepared for national emergencies, and helps persuade talented individuals to build long careers in public service.

"I'm very pleased we've signed this agreement," said GSA Acting Administrator David Bibb.

Chief Human Capital Officer Gail Lovelace added, "We are sensitive to the increased costs our employees are experiencing at the fuel pump, and we are a green agency, so we want to do everything we can to lower the employees' expenses while reducing global warming by cutting CO2 emissions from cars and trucks."

When GSA launched the telework program initiative on September 12, 2007, a goal was set to have 50 percent of the agency's eligible workforce teleworking at least one or more days a week by the end of 2010. For 2008, the agency goal is to have 20 percent of the agency's eligible workforce teleworking at least one or more days a week. GSA hit that target eight months early.

"With AFGE joining forces with the agency on this telework effort, we should reach 30 percent by the end of this calendar year, and be well positioned to achieve the next scheduled benchmark of 40 percent by the end of calendar year 2009," Lovelace said.

The policy allows employees to combine telework and alternative work schedules with management approval. In cases where work-at-home is not the best fit for the employee's job or personal circumstances, telework centers, where applicable, are an option. The agency provides an online training program to assist employees and supervisors in making the program a success.

 


If You Liked This Article, You May Also Like...


Latest Government Technology News


Industry Solutions for Government

Read real world deployments of technology in government from our sponsors.

View All Industry Solutions

Related Products and Services

Marketplace



This section
brought to you by:


Mobile Communications Survey Executive Summary

More than 200 responses were captured to help gauge the effectiveness and types of communications and situational awareness capabilities currently deployed for emergency response. View the Executive Summary Now!

Dispatch Operations and Interoperability

A New Era in Public Safety BlackBerry® smartphones running on Sprint networks deliver a wide range of applications that are transforming public safety operations.


Hurricane Preparedness Tips When a hurricane hits, are you prepared to keep in touch?


Case Study - Morris County, New Jersey The Morris County Communications Center upgraded to a new trunked radio system with the benefits of a cellular network, extending coverage beyond county lines


Case Study - Iredell County, North Carolina Spanning over 570 sq miles, it became imperative that the Iredell County Emergency Communications, Operations and Management extend it's communications systems to enhance reliability, security, and coverage.


Case Study - City of Anaheim, California The City of Anaheim saw an opportunity to leverage existing GST and partner with nearby cities to enhance safety operations through data interoperability.


Case Study - Charlottesville, Virginia Fire Department Taking advantage of a range of interoperability solution, the Charlottesville Fire Department has achieved a network that can serve as backup to their existing public safety network.


Sprint ERT Go-Kit with GST Optima Rapid, interoperable communications for emergencies, drills and field exercises.


Optimal Interoperability Until recently it was not possible to cost effectively connect commercial networks to LMR systems. Improvements in communications technology have resulted in greatly enhanced operational capability and have reduced the log-term cost of communications system ownership.


Multi-agency interoperability for Public Safety Establishing cross-agency, real-time situational awareness is critical to effective incident management as well as daily resource management.


Video


DHS Grant Links

DHS Grants and Assistance Programs Link to overview of available grants administered by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)


Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2008 Preparedness Grants Major changes in funding and focus for 2008 DHS grant programs


Remarks on 2008 Homeland Security Grant Guidance DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison


$1.8 billion in DHS Homeland Security Grant Program Awards


Funding Public Safety Communications Whether you are a law enforcement agency, looking for funding to support an interoperable communications solution or a school, seeking to improve communications between building administrators, grants may provide the funding you need to implement a robust, scalable communication system.


Yes! I would like more information about Sprint's dispatch operations and interoperability solutions.