WORK-LIFE 

telework

table of contents

welcome

about the program

the value of telework

5 telework tips

did you know...
The Federal Government is a leader in the use of 

innovative workplace arrangements like telework. 

Telework is an important tool for achieving a resilient and 

results-oriented workforce. It can give employees more 

control over their schedules and flexibility in meeting 

personal and professional responsibilities while ensuring 

agencies meet critical missions. 

welcome

“ Telework has never been more important for 

the Federal Government.” 

- U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

Telework is a work arrangement that allows an employee to 

perform work, during any part of regular, paid hours, at an 

approved alternative worksite (e.g., home, telework center). 

There are two types of telework:

•

•

about the program

Routine telework occurs as part of a previously 

approved, ongoing, and regular schedule.

Situational telework is approved on a case-by-case 

basis, where the hours worked were not part of a 

previously approved, ongoing, and regular telework 

schedule. Situational telework is sometimes also 

referred to as episodic, intermittent, unscheduled, or 

ad-hoc telework.


benefits for agencies

• Increases productivity

• Increases employee engagement

• Improves retention and recruitment

• Reduces overhead costs

• Promotes mission readiness during an emergency

• Reduces the need for unscheduled leave

benefits for employees and communities

• Allows for better work-life integration

• Improves morale

• Increases flexibility

• Reduces stress

• Saves time

• Reduces personal costs (meals, commuting, etc.)

• Improves traffic flow

• Offers positive environmental impacts

• Supports diversity and inclusion

the value of telework

Telework makes good business sense for both Federal agencies and employees.
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2

learn about your telework eligibility

Have a conversation with your supervisor about telework options. If 

your supervisor isn’t comfortable with a regular telework agreement, 

suggest a telework trial period or ask them about teleworking 

occasionally under a situational telework agreement. To learn 

more about telework eligibility criteria, telework frequency, and 

emergency planning, read the agency's telework policy. 

stay visible while you telework 

Talk to your manager and work colleagues to understand their 

expectations for staying connected and responsive while teleworking. 

Learn to use all available technology options to help maintain good 

working relationships and ensure that there isn’t a difference in your 

level of support, responsiveness and availability while teleworking.

5 telework tips
3be prepared for the unexpected

Understand the expectations of your supervisor and agency if the 

operating status is changed to Unscheduled Telework/Unscheduled 

Leave, the Government closes, or some other emergency occurs. 

report telework hours accurately 

It is important to accurately report telework, including the amount 

and type of telework, on your timesheets. This information helps to 

improve telework efforts Governmentwide.

take a break! 

Frequent short breaks from your computer may boost productivity. 

When you're teleworking (or even while working in the office), 

remember to stand up and stretch.

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5

Work is what you do, not where you are.
Teleworkers have significantly 

higher job satisfaction, intentions 

to remain with the agency, and a 

greater feeling of empowerment 

over work processes when 

compared with employees who do 

not telework because of a barrier.

When compared with nonteleworkers, teleworkers 

show consistently higher 

scores on performance 

management indicators (e.g., 

“I know what is expected 

of me on the job” and “I 

am held accountable for 

achieving results”).

Satisfaction with 

Federal telework 

programs has 

steadily increased, 

from 72% in 2011 to 

80% in 2013.
did you know...

According to the U.S. Census 

Bureau, the average travel time 

to work in the United States is 

25.1 minutes. Telework can help 

employees repurpose their time 

spent commuting to accomplish 

family and personal matters.

Research on why people 

telework has shown that 

increased productivity is one 

of the primary motives that 

underlie employees’ desire 

to telework. By allowing 

employees to work under 

conditions best suited 

to their needs, telework 

can promote improved 

performance and work 

efficiency.

Telework reduces the 

number of people 

who have to commute 

to and from work, 

which can help the 

environment by 

lessening the amount 

of transportationrelated greenhouse 

gases released into the 

atmosphere.

did you know...
more information

Contact your local HR office to find your agency Telework 

Coordinator or search OPM's Work-Life Contact Tool available at: 

https://www.opm.gov/CCLContact/.

Additional information is available at 

www.telework.gov.