United States General Services Administration

United States Office of Personnel Management

The Telework Issues Working Group, co-chaired by Billy Michael and Mallie Burruss, met at the GSA, 1800 F Street, Room 3238 from 10:00 a.m. to noon on March 8, 2001.

Attendees: Ron Patterson, OPM; Joann Jones, USAID; Lonnie Dixon, OPM; Gail Guest, DOL; Terry Poyner, State; Don Faulkner, DOT; Pat Kinney, OPM; Bruce Murray, Energy; Peggy Rapp, DOC; Helen Straka, Ed; Marge Higgins, GSA; Alisa Green, NIH; Lesly Wilson, GSA; Marjorie Adams, USDA; Louise McDonough, DoD; Laura Wilmot, NSF; Wendell Joice, GSA; Mallie Burruss, OPM; Billy Michael, GSA; Teresa Jenkins, OPM; Theresa Noll, GSA (via teleconference); and Brenda Glascoe, TVA (via teleconference).

The status of various subgroups was discussed:

Tax Issue Committee -
Wendell Joice reported that the only course of action left is to recommend legislation.

Telephone Equipment and Computers -
Don Faulkner suggested that this topic is under the CIO's umbrella, that recommendations need to be put to the CIO Council.

Legal -
Bruce Murray asks that as teams identify references, that they share them with the legal group.

Telecommunications -
Teresa Noll asked if there was legislation that allowed phone lines in the home and was told yes.

HR Issues -
Marge Adams reported that most of the issues were OPM driven and legislative.

General Training Issues -
Billy initiated discussion about this group and how it came about because of confusion over where information might be located. There are activities going on that will address these issues -- mainly the joint OPM-GSA website which will be the central point where agency policies, web-based training, and written materials will appear.

There was further discussion as to whether we should disband this group. Bruce Murray believes these issues need to be addressed. Marge Higgins suggested that we explore with Ron Patterson how to cover these issues by providing resources, not necessarily training. The joint website could provide other training resources and link to other agencies. Bruce Murray recommended that we keep the Training Group. Marge Higgins is in agreement and willing to continue to be the lead.

Distance learning -
Ron Patterson discussed how USDA has a training module and wants to partner with OPM.

Suggestion to establish an Interagency Group with CIO's & CFO's -

Bruce Murray mentioned several issues that he felt could be resolved through establishment of such a group.

• How to support budgetary process found in supporting documents
• How different reporting requirements are impacting agencies
• Why data doesn't mesh for various reports that are requested
• How to manage this information

The reasons for telecommuting were stressed again -

• Clean air
• Keep transportation off the road
• Balance work/personal life

It was emphasized that we need a better structure; that legislative issues are the driver. Work schedule and title 5 (OPM) would need legislation.

Resources and money -

If money is saved through telecommuting, the money doesn't get back to the agency -- no incentive to do this. Money doesn't go back into the telecommuting program. Per Wendell Joice, there is a bill on the Hill now

March 22 target date for reports -

HR might be able to have a draft. OPM has 20 to 25 questions that need to be answered.

Computer group needs more time -- sometime in April. Clean air report and OPM report are competing for manpower resources.

It was decided that those groups that have a report should report on March 22.

• Computer group - second week in April (April 12)
• General Training - March 22

Groups are reminded to clear findings with policy custodians and record their reactions/comments when reporting.

Telecommuting Reports -

There was discussion about the definition of episodic telecommuting and concern that there was no focus on those outside the beltway. Marge Adams suggested doing an employee questionnaire on telecommuting that asked questions such as, Do you work at home? How many days? Do you do projects at home? How many days Don Faulkner suggested having a questionnaire online. There was also a suggestion that a code be put with the time and attendance reporting to capture the number of teleworkers. Another suggestion was a centralized payroll data system.

Terry Poyner brought up a new issue -- random drug testing for telecommuters.

The following handouts were provided to the Working Group:

• Telework Related Policy Issues paper
• website information for Interagency Telework/Telecommuting Site
• Telework Issues Working Group Update - March 2001
• Format for Draft Issue Papers
• Suggested Generic Outline for Telework Issues Working Group Proceedings
• March 6, 2001 Memorandum for Human Resources Directors re: Additional Guidance for Establishing Telecommuting Policies

The next full Working Group meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 12, 200l, from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the GSA building, 1800 F Street, NW, Room 3240.