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 May 10, 2001.

Attendees: Laura Wilmot, NSF; Don Faulkner, DOT/OST; Jennifer Leung, DOT/USCG; Theresa Noll, GSA; Helen Straka, ED; Joann Jones, USAID; Karen Billingslea, HHS; Beth Chaffee, HHS; Alisa Green, HHS/NIH; Ron Patterson, OPM; Lesly Wilson, GSA; Gail Guest, DOL; Wendell Joice, GSA; Louise McDonough, DoD; Peggy Rapp, DOC; Marge Higgins, GSA; Marge Adams, USDA; Terry Poyner, State; Mallie Burruss, OPM; and Billy Michael, GSA (via teleconference).

A recent New York Times article was discussed which mentioned the number of teleworkers for several Federal agencies.

Ron Patterson encouraged agencies to submit their telework policies to him for posting on the joint website.

It was suggested that a message be sent to all Workgroup members on how to access the closed website and listserves. Another suggestion was to provide the username and password to CIO's so they can review the telework issues background materials.

All changes to the recommendations are to be made in red or highlighted and changes go through Billy who will send them to Ron. Revise recommendations to active voice. Include who needs to take actions, e.g., OPM, GSA, IRS, etc.

OPM is going on the Hill today to get an extension for the submission of the Telework Report to Congress (it was due May 11, 2001).

The issue of allowing the unions to review the recommendations was discussed. Teresa Jenkins' recommendations are: (1) funnel the Telework Issues Working Group recommendations through OPM's Strategic Workgroup; and (2) give unions the opportunity to comment at the same time the information is presented to OPM and GSA.

Billy, Wendell and Mallie will begin meeting next month with the individual subgroups to reconcile recommendations of those committees for final recommendations. Subgroups will prioritize and try to clarify recommendations where needed. Consistency in recommendations is needed - no duplications.

The following handouts were provided to the Working Group:

• Telework Issues Working Group Update - April 27, 2001
• Sample of Suggested Outline
• Telework Issues Working Group Draft Recommendations - May 2001

The next full Working Group meeting is scheduled for July 12, 2001 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, room 3238 at the GSA building, 1800 F Street, NW.