House of Representatives backs telework bill
The US House of Representatives today passed legislation which would establish telework policies for all federal employees.
The Telework Improvements Act of 2010, which was passed in the House by 290 votes to 131, is designed to integrate a robust telework program into the federal government's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
Currently only 56% of federal agencies have incorporated telework in their COOP plans. Congressman Frank Wolf, who sponsored the bill, said that integrating telework into continuity plans would help the federal government cope with natural disasters and terrorist attacks as well as reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.
"Work is something you do, not someplace you go," he said. "There is no magic about strapping ourselves into a car, driving sometimes up to an hour and a half to our workplaces, and sitting in front of our computers all day.
Telework is a win-win for employers and employees and the federal government should be the model for telework in the 21st Century workplace."