Does the Telework Enhancement Act mandate twice a week telework for federal employees?
The Telework Enhancement Act, Public Law 111-292, does not mandate telework for federal employees. Before the law completed the legislative process, there was language in the bill authorizing twice per week for eligible federal employees. However, that language was removed before President Obama signed the bill to make it law on December 9, 2010.
Is DON telework training required and available to commands?
Yes, Public Law 111-292, mandates telework training for all teleworkers and persons supervising teleworkers. Online telework training for managers and supervisors and employees is available in TWMS
https://twms.nmci.navy.mil/login.asp. TWMS is a DON management application used to assist human resource management. If DON commands use the TWMS version of the training, the certificate of completion will automatically download into the employee personnel record. The training is also available on-line on the main DON telework web page
www.public.navy.mil/donhr/Benefits/worklife/Telework/Pages/Default.aspx.
How do I get a job in the DON that allows telework?
If you are interested in finding out if a new position offers telework, it is best to ask at the interview stage. Each supervisor determines the telework eligibility of employees and positions based on the telework eligibility criteria defined in DoD and DON telework policy.
Are all Navy positions allowed to telework?
Each supervisor determines telework eligibility. If a position is required on-site staff, handles classified information, if an employee has less than acceptable conduct or performance, if the employee has been absent without permission for five days in a year, or if the employee has been disciplined for viewing and downloading pornography, then the position or person would not be eligible for telework. If the position or person is eligible to telework, frequency is determined by the supervisor.
Where do I go to learn about telework in the Federal Government?
Is telework always done from my home?
Telework can be performed at an employee’s home, at a telecenter, or at another DON office location.
Will the government pay for my internet if I telework?
The DON does not reimburse internet expenses for part time teleworkers. However, some commands reimburse telework expenses for full time telework where an employee does not require a permanent desk in an office.
Can I move my job and telework my job from a different city?
In most situations, no. However, to be able to recruit for expert level staff, the DON has some full time telework in a handful of positions due to business necessity.
My supervisor canceled my telework, what recourse do I have?
Supervisors have the authority to approve, modify, and cancel telework arrangements. Employees have the right to file Equal Employment complaints for disparate treatment or administrative grievances based on a telework issue.
If my supervisor calls me at home and tells me to report to the office immediately, do I have to go?
Yes, supervisors have the authority to recall an employee from a telework location at any time.
Can my supervisor cancel my telework day in advance, and tells me to report to the office for a meeting?
Yes, supervisors have the authority to modify a telework agreement at any time.
My supervisor denied my telework because my position is not eligible, what does that mean?
Each supervisor determines telework eligibility, and there are currently no across the board telework positions in the DON. If a position is required on-site staff, handles secure information, or if an employee has poor conduct or performance, then the position or person would not be eligible for telework. If the position or person is eligible to telework, approval, and frequency is determined by the supervisor.
How does telework or working remotely apply to pandemic flu?
During a pandemic flu crisis, if a commanding officer issues evacuation orders that an emergency situation exists, employees may be asked to safe haven in their own homes via telework to stop the spread of the flu.
If we have a weather emergency, how can I get unscheduled telework?
If your office is located inside the beltway in Washington DC, OPM will announce federal government closing status for all government offices and the availability of unscheduled telework.
However, even if this is announced, there may be additional procedures in place for requesting unscheduled telework at your office and you must have an active telework agreement in place.
If your office is located outside the Washington DC beltway in the DC area or another region, the commanding officer has the authority to announce closure procedures and unscheduled telework may or may not be a part of this process.
In either case, we suggest you speak to your supervisor and determine your office procedures for weather related closures.
Can I work part of the day in the office, and the rest of the day teleworking from home?
The DON does not consider "part-day" working from another location telework and it would defeat the purpose of reduced traffic congestion and commuting costs. Other flexible options such as leave usage or compressed work schedule would be more appropriate in this situation.