Understanding Government Telework

"Across the federal government, telework is the principal method for allowing employees to work outside agency facilities. This report provides an overview of the literature on telework, examines telework practices from across seven government agencies, and explains how government agencies benefit when employees engage in telework. In national security agencies, the benefits of working outside government facilities must be balanced with the need to protect classified and sensitive information. Among the federal programs examined, the authors found similarities across successful agency telework programs regarding compliance with federal and organizational policies, technological accommodations for employees, a measurable return on investment, the adaptation of performance management tools, and training. A clear understanding of the purposes of telework is essential to guiding the development of program goals, policies, and performance me