Telework Exchange

Telework Exchange Calculators

You may know that teleworking saves commuting costs and is good for the environment, but do you know exactly how much money you can save or how much smaller your carbon footprint could be? To help you find out, Telework Exchange offers the Telework Value Calculators, which will compute the potential cost and pollutant savings for individual Federal teleworkers.

See the Telework Value calculators and simply log the number of roundtrip miles you commute, the number of days you work at the office and the number you telework, the type of car you drive, and your organizational affiliation to discover the potential savings – for you and your agency. Learn more at www.teleworkexchange.com.

Telework Eligibility Gizmo

You, along with 79 percent of the workforce, want to telework. Do you know if you and your position are compatible with regular teleworking? Find out using the Telework Exchange Online Eligibility Gizmo.

The user-friendly quiz will give you a telework eligibility rating, which you can use to make your business case for telework. Just present the results of the Eligibility Gizmo along with the cost of your commute when you discuss your telework plan with your manager.

Tele-Vision Awards: Nominations Due March 16

Has your organization implemented a successful telework program that demonstrates a sound, sustainable approach to teleworking? Do you know a government executive who works vigorously to drive the telework agenda? If so, nominate that program or individual for a Telework Exchange Tele-Vision Award.

For additional information or to download the official call for nomination forms, visit http://www.teleworkexchange.com/2010awards.

Webcast: Business Continuity Planning – Prepare, Test, Connect

Agencies have the opportunity to prepare for emergency situations by empowering their workforce to operate remotely when necessary. What's needed? Telework training, testing, and technology. On February 25, Telework Exchange and Juniper Networks hosted a Webcast focused on this important topic titled, "Business Continuity Planning – Prepare, Test, Connect". The program included practical, actionable recommendations by telework professionals from the General Services Administration (GSA), Juniper Networks, and Telework!VA.

Speakers included, Josh Sawislak, Senior Advisor to the Administrator for GSA, Bob Dix, Vice President, Government Affairs and Critical Infrastructure Protection, Juniper Networks, and moderator Jennifer Thomas Alcott, Telework!VA Program Manager, Department of Rail and Public Transportation, Commonwealth of Virginia. These subject matter experts discussed how their agencies have successfully incorporated telework into business continuity plans by engaging management and testing their telework plans and network connectivity. In addition, Bob Dix highlighted key technologies that enable business continuity when it is needed most. For more information, please visit: http://www.teleworkexchange.com/businesscontinuity/.

OPM Offers Employees a Forum for Ideas to Improve Telework

In an effort to boost Federal telework participation, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), in partnership with the General Services Administration and the White House Workgroup on Telework, in January sponsored a two-week-long, structured blog discussion that challenged all Federal employees to offer ideas on enhancing telework.

Teleworkers and interested participants (who could submit anonymously or using their real names) discussed telework hurdles and concerns, shared their own experiences, and offered constructive opinions on how to improve and expand telework government-wide. They also had the opportunity to vote on proposed solutions and to provide a variation or alternative to that solution.

Among the early ideas:

• President Obama should issue an Executive Order that advocates telework and requests each agency to set a goal for telework participation by eligible employees
• OPM should set universal, consistent telework regulations rather than letting each agency devise their own
• To overcome managerial resistance, agencies should make telework a part of each manager's job description.

OPM plans to use the blog postings to better understand differing perspectives on telework and to help develop and implement effective telework guidance, policy recommendations, and solutions that work to support the business and mission objectives of government organizations.

The Great Commuter Stress Out

Telework Exchange and HP invited Washington, D.C.-area commuters to beat the heck out of their commutes at "The Great Commuter Stress Out" event on November 10, 2009. The event was held at the Woodrow Wilson Plaza of the Ronald Reagan Building, and allowed commuters to de-stress by taking whacks at car-shaped piñatas, getting stress-relieving neck massages, and enjoying refreshments, as well as learning more about the personal and professional benefits of telework. See for yourself – event photos are posted at www.teleworkexchange.com/greatcommuterstressout.asp.