The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has announced publication of a new Federal Management Regulation (FMR) bulletin designed to provide significant technical assistance and guidance to federal agencies' telework expansion efforts.

"Teleworking is pro-family, pro-productivity and pro-environment. Studies confirm that there will be more federal teleworkers as they learn about the successful programs. GSA is working hard to maximize the availability of information and the latest and greatest technologies to encourage teleworking," said Kevin Messner, Acting Associate Administrator of GSA's Office of Governmentwide Policy.

FMR Bulletin 2007-B1 is entitled Information Technology and Telecommunications Guidelines for Federal Telework and Other Alternative Workplace Arrangement Programs.

The bulletin largely draws from work performed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Office of Management and Budget, the Government Accountability Office and GSA, to help agencies identify the fundamentals of successful telework and other alternative workplace arrangement programs.

GSA recognized the need to provide this information in a consolidated, easy-to-read format. The bulletin's format also helps federal employees and managers to become more familiar with alternative workplace arrangements, including telework.

The FMR bulletin includes topics on basic equipment, telecommunications, security, privacy, training and support.

KW