Advancement Of Competing Telework Bills Reveal Deep Division Over Federal Remote Work

The debate surrounding the future of telework opportunities for federal employees is heating up in Washington, D.C. 

On Wednesday, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced what is known as the Telework Reform Act (S. 3015), with a 9-2 vote.  

This legislation would codify remote work for federal employees into U.S. law, build on telework data reporting and training, and increase remote job opportunities for military and law enforcement spouses, according to a report published by the Government Executive.  

The legislation was introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and looks to establish clear definitions and guidelines for telework and remote work within U.S. federal agencies.  

The two senators opposing the bill in the 9-2 vote were Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah). On May 7, Romney and Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) introduced the “Back to Work Act” (S. 4266), a bipartisan bill which proposes limiting telework for federal employees at 40% of their total work hours.  

The Back to Work Act stipulates that federal workers must spend at least 60% of their work hours in person, with some exceptions allowed for military or federal law enforcement spouses and for roles requiring specialized expertise or frequent travel.   

Also, during Wednesday’s meeting, the committee postponed consideration of the Telework Transparency Act (S. 4043), proposed by Chairman Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). This bill would require federal agencies to publish their telework policies online and develop automated systems to track telework utilization and its impact on agency performance.  

The Telework Transparency Act mandates annual renewal of telework agreements and requires employees to complete yearly telework training.  

According to the Government Executive, the act introduces new reporting requirements, including biannual surveys on telework usage and an annual review of telework guidelines by the Office of Management and Budget. 

As legislative discussions press forward this year, the future of telework policies for federal workers remains up in the air. Proponents of stricter telework policies argue that it ensures a more engaged and present federal workforce, while critics warn it could undermine some of the benefits of remote work arrangements that have proven to be advantageous for attraction and retention efforts. 

The advancement of the Telework Reform Act could mark a step forward, but achieving a federal consensus on transparency and accountability measures will be key to successfully implementing official policy for government workers.