Private, federal managers share doubts about telecommuting

Private sector managers are as reluctant to embrace telecommuting as those in the federal government, according to a new report by the General Accounting Office. "Even though telecommuting has grown over the past decade, some proponents are concerned that various laws and regulations discourage employers from establishing these programs," GAO found. GAO conducted interviews with labor union officials, trade association representatives, employers with telecommuting programs and other stakeholders for its report, "Telecommuting: Overview of Potential Barriers Facing Employers" (GAO-01-926). It is estimated that 16.5 million employees in the U.S. telecommute at least once a month, and 9.3 million employees telecommute at least once a week, GAO said. Still, concerns about supervising teleworkers, the security of sensitive information and the effect of telecommuting on profits often prevent private-sector employers from using telecommuting programs, the report found. The same doubts about supervising telecommuters are pervasive in the federal government, according to the Office of Personnel Management. Often employers are stymied when trying to identify jobs and employees suitable for telecommuting, GAO found. Employers are also not sure that the savings and benefits will outweigh the additional costs incurred in a telecommuting program. Legal and regulatory barriers include uncertainty about state tax laws and Occupation Safety & Health Administration rules governing the use of home offices, the report said. Also, reasonable accommodation provisions may require employers to pay for home office modifications or special equipment. Unions, too, expressed concerns about telecommuting, GAO found. "Unions have been generally wary of telecommuting because work at home is difficult to regulate and could lead to compulsory overtime and interfere with employee rights to communicate, organize and bargain collectively," GAO found. But the mood could change, as many employers believe that if the government offered more incentives, such as tax credits for home office equipment and services, more employers would offer telecommuting as an option. OPM is working to alleviate federal managers' fears about telecommuting and recently compiled a list of success stories in the hope of encouraging more managers to initiate telecommuting programs. The agency also joined with the General Services Administration to launch a Web site publicizing guidance and policies on telecommuting from agencies across the government. OPM is evaluating information it collected from agencies on their telecommuting policies. The study was intended to identify positions that would lend themselves to telecommuting. Agencies are required to offer employees in such jobs the option of working from home or at a telecommuting center. A report on OPM's findings is scheduled for release in the next few weeks.