Possible Questions: PANEL I. These questions can be directed at the witnesses in panel one. 1. In July 2003 a GAO report found that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA) had difficulty coordinating their telework efforts, but as a response to this report resolved to commit themselves to improve coordination. How were these discrepancies resolved and what steps have been taken to assure future coordination? PANEL II. These questions can be directed at the witnesses in panel two. Pamela J. Gardiner, Acting Inspector General for Tax Administration, Department of the Treasury Kathleen J.H. Wheeler, Deputy Chief Human Capital Officer, Office of Policy, J. Christopher Mihm, Director, Strategic Issues, General Accounting Office 2. A study performed by the Merit Systems Protection Board shows that telework is one of the most desired but least available family-friendly programs. What is the best method to employ to assure that these programs are implemented in an efficient manner? PANEL III. These questions can be directed at the witnesses in panel three. James A. Kane Ph.D., President & Chief Executive Officer, Software Productivity Steve DuMont, Vice President, Internet Business Solutions Group, Cisco Systems, Inc. Carol Goldberg, Former Telework Program Manager, Fairfax County (VA) Government 3. How do you overcome the management barriers tied to telecommuting, such as assuring accountability in your workers without a manager physically present? Statement of Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich Committee on Government Reform Hearing on “Beneficial or Critical? The Heightened Need for Telework Opportunities In the Post-9/11 World" July 8, 2004 Since 1990, Congress has passed several laws that have helped to implement telework opportunities for federal employees. According to a law sponsored by Rep. Frank Wolf in 2000, 25% of the federal workforce was supposed to be eligible for telework in April 2001, 50% in 2002 and 75% in 2003. However, according to an Office of Personnel Management report in May 2004, less than 4% of the federal workforce telecommuted in 2003 - a figure far below the 75% that was mandated by law. The benefits of telework are great. In addition to the numerous logistical benefits such as reduced traffic congestion and pollution, reduced commuting time for employees, increased productivity, reduced need for office space, lower transportation, parking and food costs for employees, telework improves quality of life. It is a family-friendly work option that allows employees flexibility and comfort, and it is an option that employees desire. Moreover, telework allows federal organizations to better engage in Why has telework not been better implemented? There are various barriers that have prevented the full realization of telework, including concerns over data security, funding for equipment technology, and management resistance. While some measures have been taken to address these challenges, more must be done to achieve the much-needed higher percentage of telecommuting federal employees. Telework is an important option for both emergency preparedness and employee satisfaction. I hope this hearing will address the challenges of implementing telework and provide ideas for viable solutions to these challenges. NTEU The National Treasury Employees Union STATEMENT OF COLLEEN M. KELLEY NATIONAL PRESIDENT NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION to the COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 8, 2004 STATEMENT OF COLLEEN M. KELLEY NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION to the COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM July 8, 2004 Good morning Chairman Davis and members of the House Committee on Government Reform. My name is Colleen M. Kelley and I am National President of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). NTEU represents 150,000 federal workers in 30 agencies and departments. NTEU appreciates the opportunity to present this testimony to the Committee. Under your leadership, Chairman Davis, as well as other members of Congress, particularly Representative Frank Wolf, the issue of telework has been brought to the forefront of discussion. In the fall of 2000, Congress passed legislation requiring each executive agency to establish a policy under which eligible employees of the agency may participate in telecommuting to the maximum extent possible without diminished employee performance. Further, each participating agency was to develop criteria to be used in implementing telework and ensure that managerial, logistical, organizational, or other barriers to full implementation and successful functioning of the policy are |