Readers' Comments
Total Comments: 55
Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Telework: Trendy Hot Issue, Long Term Policy Goal or Political Plum?
Total Comments: 55
Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
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March 19, 2010
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Telework
USPS
Wed May 20, 2009 10:14 AM
Post Reply
As noted in a couple of the comments, telework isn't for everyone. That said, telework has the potential to change the way work is done in this country - in government and the private sector. The reduced car emmissions, wear and tear on roads and increased productivity are the obvious benefits. For workers, increased morale and greater control of their lives outside of the work environment are definitely important.
Like any change, telework will be resisted - new concepts usually are. Typically, some policy makers and planners are truly out of touch with workplace reality. In the case of telework, I believe that this is an idea that could save the government money and improve the way some work is done. Face it, government needs improvement in the area of efficiency and OPM may be on to a cure.
Teleworking
DoD
Wed May 20, 2009 10:31 AM
Post Reply
Loved the sarcastic humor...and the pointed realities of TeleWork. As a training coordinator, I can't image what sort of training would "educate" managers/supervisors to trust employees to do their work while not "within site" when so many workers do so little work in a day while within site...it might be beneficial to demand some employees work from home just to break up the social klatches that prevent them from working...but then, we might then have to monitor the phone calls to their cliques back in the old office...
All I know is that I would love the position as TWERP, I could work from home!
Obsolescence
NOAA
Wed May 20, 2009 10:45 AM
Post Reply
In this day & age of internet, email, cell phones, video and teleconference possibilities - for many postions in the fed, hiting the beltway at the crack of dawn is downright unnecessary.
The main challenge seems to be acceptance and trust that fed workers will be as productive at home, wearing their bunny slippers, as they are in the office.
Many old schoolers just don't feel comfortable with the staff not physically siting in their cubicle....
Telework
HHS
Wed May 20, 2009 10:52 AM
Post Reply
I already "telework" from my spacious office. I use email, the phone, and occasional hard mail to communicate with my contractors and colleagues. I have access to libraries, papers, and books. I keep my good books at home. We have mice and they like to chew up the pages. The only difference between my home "telework" and my spacious office "telework" is the pollution my four wheel drive diesel pickup puts out on the freeways. But the diesel fragrance reminds me of other, smaller poorer countries where I worked; so I like it. I hope you also like it.
Telework
IRS
Wed May 20, 2009 11:04 AM
Post Reply
You might want to check the case-law... I agree what union's do is not the work of the agency, BUT, the FLRA in their infinite wisdom has determined that union officials may negotiate for official time to be used at an alternate work location - figure that one out!
Sarcasm
DoD
Wed May 20, 2009 11:07 AM
Post Reply
One thing I have (until today) admired about Fedsmith authors is your ability to actually report without lacing your writing with innuendo, and (what appears to be) an agenda. If I want agenda and thinly veiled sarcasm, I'll tune into AM talk radio between the hours of noon and three.
Misinformation
Withheld
Wed May 20, 2009 12:16 PM
Post Reply
The author states that Mr. Berry came into Federal management without the benefit of having been a first line supervisor. If the author means he had no first line supervisory experience before entering gov't., I'd like to know his sources. It is clear from Mr. Berry's bio (on the OPM web site) that he has had a great deal of first line supervisory experience in his positions at the National Zoo and the Treasury Department.
In my role, I deal with employment disputes involving high level officials. Most of the first line supervisors in these cases are at the SES level. There is no difference in the supervisory responsibilities of first line supervisors in high level positions and those in lower positions. Mr. Barry has not only served as first-line supervisor, he has also had responsibility for supervising subordinate supervisors and managing for their subordinate supervisors, at all levels of the subordinate offices.
Re: Misinformation
HUD
Wed May 20, 2009 8:44 PM
Time to go back to basic management and supervision 101. A first line supervisor is not a manager and a SES is not a first line supervisor. They are high level managers (director level). Lets not call apples oranges, it might offend the lemons.