This past week, President Obama signed into Law H.R. 1722, the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010, into law. The House of Representatives passed the bill last Thursday with a bipartisan vote of 254 to 152. The Senate passed the final version of the legislation by unanimous consent on September 29.
The legislation grants Federal employees eligibility to telework and requires Federal agencies to establish telework policies and designate a Telework Managing Officer. Now, Federal agencies must:
After 180 days:
– Establish policy for eligible employees to telework
– Determine employee eligibility
– Notify all employees of their eligibility
– Establish interactive training programs for teleworkers and telework managers
– Include telework in business continuity (COOP) plans
– Designate a Telework Managing Officer
– Must be a senior official with direct access to agency head
– Provide yearly progress reports to the Office of Personnel Management
If you have been following the BetterBlog, you know that we have developed the BetterWork framework, which is the only carrier-based platform for less commuting, travel, building space & increased use of teleworking. The basic tenants of BetterWork are that a significant and increased focus on telecom/broadband and changing how we work has more potential than any other means at our disposal today to spur job creation, improve the economy and make huge reductions in greenhouse gases, traffic congestion and the built environment.
This a significant and amazing development towards lower costs and lower environmental impact for all Americans! We look forward to seeing the immediate effects of this new law and how it will then affect all businesses and organizations.
In service,
Matt
Posted in: BetterWork
