Question
Can an agency mandate telework?
Answer
No. Telework arrangements are typically voluntary. However, once an employee enters into a telework arrangement, it is possible that an agency may require an employee to telework if this is clearly stated and agreed to in the written telework agreement. To avoid ambiguity, the telework agreement should specify what is expected of employees under these circumstances. See Section III-A-c, Evacuation Payments and the new Telework Guide.