WashingtonWatch.com - S. 1000, The Telework Enhancement Act of 2007

Comment by Tim (June 17, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This bill only addresses government employees. What about everyone else?...

Comment by smharmon1@verizon.net (August 21, 2007, 01:00:00)

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EDT

It's about time: what's the delay in passing this? However, there is one huge blind spot on this pending legislation--the section on Ineligible employees (Executive Agencies). I have many issues with this section. First, it "exempts" a large CLASS of employees in the Washington region. Second, some careful rewording would allow for many individual cases and occurrences of teleworking WHEN the individual is NOT handling classified information. There are many efforts that are being advocated by DNI and others to mainstream the intellligence business (in conjunction with other open businesses). Third, there are ways to insure SECURE communication from home to work--that technology is available. Fourth, there must be more development of telework centers which are equipped with secure (compartmented) facilities. (That should be addressed here.) So, MY VOTE is to REWRITE THIS SECTION or draft a new (supplemental) bill for the exceptional cases....

Comment by Bill Zotto (July 12, 2007, 01:00:00)

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EDT

Initiating such a program supports President Bush’s challenge to reduce consumer gasoline consumption by 20% within ten years, supports the reduction of green house gas emissions, supports the individual and the national “carbon footprint” impact on the globe, and supports the changing nature of the workforce....

Revision by webmaster (June 18, 2007, 01:00:00)

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

S. 1000 would enhance the Federal Telework Program.

Detailed Summary

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Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/6/2007: Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Revision by webmaster (June 18, 2007, 01:00:00)

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

S. 1000 would enhance the Federal Telework Program.

Detailed Summary

Telework Enhancement Act of 2007 - Requires the head of each executive agency, the Chief Justice, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Majority Leader of the Senate to: (1) establish a policy under which federal employees shall participate in telework to the maximum extent possible without diminishing employee performance or organizational operations; and (2) appoint a Telework Managing Officer.

Exempts from the policy executive branch employees: (1) whose duties involve the daily handling of secure materials, necessary contact with special equipment, or a daily physical presence; (2) who are assigned to national security or intelligence functions; or (3) whose functions are otherwise inappropriate for teleworking and which are designated as functions to which the policy does not apply. Provides for the Speaker, the Majority Leader, and Chief Justice to designate ineligible legislative and judicial branch employees.

Requires the head of each executive agency to ensure that: (1) telework training is incorporated in the agency's new employee orientation procedures; and (2) periodic employee reviews are conducted for all employees to ascertain whether telework is appropriate for the employee's job description and the extent to which it is being utilized by the employee.

Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) establish a system for evaluating telework policies and participation; and (2) publish an annual report rating each entity's policy and participation.

Status of the Legislation

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Status as of June 6, 2007

Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EDT

6/6/2007: Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.