Life Meets Work Blog

The federal government is expected to expand teleworking opportunities for federal employees.

John Berry at the Office of Personnel Management has announced plans for an expanded federal telework policy. Reportedly, he has support from President Obama.

The plan would create an advisory group, require agencies to submit telework polices for review, encourage agencies to appoint a ‘telework managing officer,’ and provide training to reduce management resistance.

“I was raised in the D.C. metropolitan area, so I know a little something about the traffic congestion that frustrates commuters and saps them of energy even before they get to the office,” Berry said in a press release.

The new policy is based on provisions in two telework bills introduced in 2009: the Telework Improvements Act (H.R. 1722), introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., and the Telework Enhancement Act (S. 707), introduced by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.

Timing is right to push the new initiative as many in both business and government look to telecommuting as a way to maintain essential operations during a flu outbreak.

The initiative is also designed to make the federal government a more attractive employer and to support President Obama’s work-life objectives.

Posted by Jaime

The U.S. declared a public health emergency over Swine Flu yesterday. In New York, where more than 100 school children are likely infected (following a recent trip to Mexico), Mayor Michael Bloomberg told citizens to stay home if they feel even slightly symptomatic.

Stay home if you feel sick – it’s not really meant as “take care of yourself and get well” kind of advice. It’s a serious mandate meant to prevent a flu pandemic.

As a nation, we’re not accustomed to staying home for a measly sore throat. So what does that mean in the face of a potential swine flu pandemic?  How will we maintain productivity and essential services when a few achy muscles are supposed to keep us away from the office?

Flu outbreaks don’t have to be disabling if companies are set up to telework. The federal government has long incorporated teleworking in its business continuity plans:

“By helping support a distributed workforce, telework is a tool for emergency planning at all levels - from snowstorms that close offices in a region for a day or two, to pandemic influenza that may affect operations over the course of weeks or even months.” (Source: telework.gov)

Even in the face of a global flu pandemic, business CAN continue if your employees are equipped to log-in remotely.  To be successful, your company should have a telework program with as many staffers as possible equipped to work from home. The best way to test your system is to use it as a routine course of business, to ensure all tools are operational.

Get more tips to prepare your business for a flu pandemic from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management at telework.gov.  Tailored workplace flexibility plans are also available from Life Meets Work.

Posted by Jaime