Report: Telework increases across government

More than 10 percent of federal employees eligible to telework are doing so, according to new data from the Office of Personnel Management.

In an annual telework report sent to Congress on Thursday, OPM found that 11,046 more employees were working outside the office in 2009 than in the previous year. Of eligible employees, 10.4 percent teleworked, or about 5.7 percent of all federal workers. Teleworkers are more likely to report high job satisfaction, recommend their employer to others and remain in their positions longer than non-teleworkers, according to OPM.

Under the 2010 Telework Enhancement Act, signed into law in December 2010, agencies by this spring must establish a policy on working outside the office, identify eligible employees and inform them of the option. The law also requires agencies to name an official to manage telework programs, and to incorporate the policy into plans for continuing essential services during natural disasters or other emergencies.

"The new telework law and this report reinforce that increasing the strategic use of telework will help the federal government improve resiliency and achieve continuity of operations in emergencies, reduce management costs and help our employees to manage their own work and life obligations," OPM Director John Berry said.

Under the law, OPM is required to report periodically on the status of telework programs. By the end of March, OPM will provide guidance to agencies on implementing telework policies and in April will meet with managers of telework programs.