Telework Enhancement Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1000
Sponsor: Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK]
Introduced: 2007-03-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional officers
Congressional reorganization
Congressional reporting requirements
Employee training
Executive reorganization
Federal employees
Federal officials
Government publicity
Labor and Employment
Performance measurement
Rating of employees
Science, Technology, Communications
Telecommuting

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-27
text: 
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.

action_date: 2008-10-01
text: 
Telework Enhancement Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) establish a policy under which eligible employees may be authorized to telework; and (2) determine and notify all agency employees of their eligibility. Requires such policy to: (1) ensure that telework does not diminish employee performance or agency operations; (2) require a written agreement between an agency manager and a participating employee; (3) prohibit participation if an employee's performance does not comply with the terms of the agreement; (4) exclude employees whose official duties require daily physical presence for activity with equipment or handling of secure materials, except in emergency situations; and (5) determine the use of telework as part of the agency's continuity of operations plans in the event of an emergency.
 
(Sec. 4) Requires each agency head to: (1) provide an interactive telework training program to eligible employees and their managers; (2) make no distinction between teleworkers and non-teleworkers for performance appraisals; and (3) consult Office of Personnel Management (OPM) performance management guidelines when determining what constitutes diminished employee performance.
 
(Sec. 5) Requires each agency to consult with OPM in developing telework policies. Directs OPM to: (1) provide policy and policy guidance for telework; and (2) consult with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on telework policy guidance regarding continuation of operations and long-term emergencies and with the General Services Administration (GSA) on telework policy guidance for telework centers, travel, technology, equipment, and dependent care. Provides that a continuity of operations plan shall supersede any telework policy. Requires OPM to maintain a central telework website.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs each agency head to appoint a Telework Managing Officer to: (1) develop and implement the agency's telework program; and (2) serve as an advisor for agency leadership, a resource for managers and employees, and a primary agency point of contact for OPM on telework matters. Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004 and the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2005 to provide for the appointment of a Telework Managing Officer (current law provides for the designation of a Telework Coordinator).
 
(Sec. 7) Requires the Director of OPM to submit an annual report on agency telework programs to specified committees, the Comptroller General, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 
 
(Sec. 8) Provides that an agency shall be in compliance with this Act if each participating employee regularly performs officially assigned duties at home or at other worksites geographically convenient to the employee's residence during at least 20% of each pay period.
 
Requires each agency manager to report to the agency's Chief Human Capital Officer and Telework Managing Officer annually on efforts to promote telework opportunities and on obstacles to promoting such opportunities.
 
Requires: (1) the Chief Human Capital Office of each agency to annually report to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Chief Human Capital Offices Council on management efforts to promote telework; and (2) OMB to report to Congress on agency noncompliance and recommendations for corrective actions.
 
(Sec. 9) Requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the House Administration Committee, and the heads of the legislative branch agencies to establish guidelines for a policy under which Senate, House, and legislative agency employees may be authorized to telework. Requires eligible legislative agency employees and their managers to participate in a telework training program. 
 
(Sec. 10) Extends authority for federal agencies to conduct certain travel expenses test programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-11-19
text: By Senator Lieberman from Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs filed written report. Report No. 110-526.
action_date: 2008-11-19
text: By Senator Lieberman from Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs filed written report. Report No. 110-526.
action_date: 2008-10-01
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1101.
action_date: 2008-10-01
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2008-10-01
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-11-14
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2007-03-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3844)
action_date: 2007-03-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3843-3844)
action_date: 2007-03-27
text: Introduced in Senate