"It won't be easy, but the leaders of GSA have already proven they are capable of extraordinary achievements, no matter the odds," Doan said at a forum hosted by the Telework Exchange, a public-private partnership that promotes federal telework.
Doan said the benefits of telework warrant an aggressive internal campaign where GSA can lead by example. Among the benefits she cited: reduced energy use; fewer greenhouse gas emissions, less traffic, less U.S. dependence on foreign oil, increased worker productivity and savings for American taxpayers.
Telework is also an important recruiting and retention tool that will help attract and keep talented individuals in public service, she said, noting that the ability to telework will be especially critical in times of emergency and ensuring continuity of operations.
"Robust COOP capacity is a natural benefit of telework, but we can't wait until an emergency to implement the program," she said. "Federal agencies must have a viable telework program in place as part of normal operations."
As interim goals, Doan called for plans to increase the number of GSA teleworkers to 20 percent by the end of 2008 and 40 percent by the end of 2009.
GSA, in cooperation with the Office of Personnel Management and community partners, has established a network of 14 telework centers across the metropolitan D.C. area.
