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Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives John Sarbanes (D-MD), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), and Jim Moran (D-VA) joined Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director John Berry to announce the Administration’s new telework policy. The Obama Administration initiative draws on House legislation (H.R. 1722) introduced by Sarbanes, Connelly, and Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) to put in place a uniform and consistent telework policy across the federal government, while imposing strict oversight and accountability that will ensure the success of this pragmatic yet innovative workforce management policy.
“First and foremost, these policies are about good governance,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “The federal government should use telework as a powerful recruitment and retention tool to compete with the private sector for the best and brightest workers. Federal telework is also sound transportation policy for this region because it will help mitigate traffic congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and improve the quality of life for all commuters.” "I appreciate OPM's leadership in implementing components our legislation to ensure that federal agencies are fully complying and implementing telework for all eligible employees,” said Wolf. "This is a strong start and I hope that Congress will act quickly to codify these efforts and further strengthen telework in the Telework Improvements Act of 2009. As the author of current telework law, I know that these efforts will cut through administrative resistance, reduce traffic, and improve quality of life for our federal workforce.” “With the transportation gridlock we too often face in the national capital region, telework makes sense,” said Connolly. “ It helps our workforce be more productive and it can have a definitive and positive impact on our transportation problems. Throughout my career, I have championed efforts to promote telework for both local and federal government employees.” “Telework is good for the environment, good for the continuity of government operations, it just makes sense,” said Director Berry. “It also shows the commitment of President Barack Obama to provide a work/life program that is improving the quality of life for Federal employees.” OPM’s new policy includes: • Advisory Group: OPM will convene an advisory group of telework program managers from key agencies to draw on their knowledge and expertise in formulating standards for agency policies and programs. |
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