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Telework.gov Main Guidance & Legislation Telework Legislation Telework Enhancement Act

Telework Legislation

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Guidance & Legislation Overview
Telework Guidance
Telework Legislation

Telework Enhancement Act

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The signing of the Telework Enhancement Act (the Act) in December 2010 transformed Federal telework to unleash its potential as a strategic intervention for supporting agency effectiveness.

The Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 (the Act)  is a key factor in the Federal Government's ability to achieve greater flexibility in managing its workforce through the use of telework.  Well implemented and established telework programs provide agencies with a valuable tool to meet mission objectives while helping employees enhance work-life effectiveness. The signing of this law was the culmination of years of legislative activity to advance Federal telework. Here are several highlights of the Act and its provisions, at a glance:

  • Signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 9, 2010
  • Requires each Executive agency to establish a policy under which eligible employees are authorized to telework
  • Applies to all Federal Executive agencies
  • Applies to Federal employees as defined by section 2105 of title 5 USC
  • Provides a statutory definition for telework
  • Requires a written telework agreement between the employee and manager as a condition for participation in telework
  • Requires every Executive agency to incorporate telework into their Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans
  • Directs agencies to designate a Telework Managing Officer (TMO)
  • Requires employees and managers to complete interactive telework training, unless an exception has been made by the head of the agency for employees already engaged in telework prior to enactment
  • Outlines responsibilities and expectations for policy guidance and reporting of telework
  • Requires every Executive agency to work with OPM to satisfy mandatory data collection and reporting requirements
  • Provides for agency consultation with various agencies for guidance and support including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), General Services Administration (GSA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
  • Requires OPM to maintain a central telework website
  • Provides a framework for Federal agencies to better leverage technology and maximize the use of telework
  • Supports agency efforts to achieve important goals, such as recruitment and retention of a productive Federal workforce
  • Enhances Federal employee work-life balance.