Time to Telework

Jun 2008 , Sponsored by Intel

GSA Touts Telework
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) believes in telework. That's why it's leading by example, increasing its own telework efforts while encouraging other federal agencies to do the same. Under the agency's telework policy, GSA helps government agencies find the best-value products and services they need to serve the public. GSA recently announced its new telework policy as it continues to sing the praises of telework to other government agencies.

"What we want to do in GSA is to demonstrate to the entire government that telework is a winner," said Bill Kelly, GSA's special assistant to the administrator for telework matters. "Telework, from our perspective, can have many positive effects."

GSA is deploying 5,000 more laptops this year as it gets more of its own employees teleworking. GSA is also making it mandatory for supervisors and other employees to take a telework training module. It's also working on a white paper it will share with other government agencies. GSA also plans to step up its marketing efforts to let more people know about the benefits of telework.

GSA itself is aiming for those benefits, including making itself an attractive place to work. It also uses telework for better continuity of operations, more productivity, less energy consumption and reduced need for office space. GSA wants to be among the best employers in federal government, and sees telework as a means to that end.

For agencies wanting to start their own telework programs, Kelly said four key elements need to be in place: strong leadership support; trust between supervisors and employees; a focus on production, outcome and results; and using technology well to stay connected with other team members.

Kelly noted that focusing on results is the best approach; managers who focus on line-of-sight forms of management - watching workers themselves - are missing the point.

Kelly is such a believer in telework that he postponed his planned retirement to help lead the cause. "I think the nature of work and the nature of man are more in sync when telework is put into the equation," he said.

He believes it makes sense to give an agency's most valuable asset - its people - the freedom and trust to work from home because it makes those people happier and more productive. Although there is still work to be done in spreading the word, Kelly is finding that more and more people agree with him.

It's time to rethink the traditional office. These days, the office can be anywhere - and often should be. With numerous advances in technology, it makes more sense than ever before to have employees avoid the commute and work from home.

Mobility is key as workers, empowered by the latest technological advances, can stay connected and be productive far away from the office. With less time spent driving to and from work, employees can spend more time actually working. Technology has caught up, making it possible for telecommuters to be just as productive, if not more so, than they would be if they were at the office.

Many workers now expect telework to be an option if an organization is serious about hiring them. "In the 21st century, fewer employees will be content driving 60 minutes from one computer screen to another," said Nigel Ballard, federal marketing manager of Intel. The computer at home can be just as productive as the one at the office, and it takes just seconds to get to it.