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Telework |
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USCIS Telework Instruction Handbook |
Telework Agreement Reached at NSC -
1st in the Nation AFGE Local 3928 completed negotiations on a new telework agreement for the employees of the Nebraska Service Center. This document is the first service center agreement to be completed in the Nation. Other service centers are still in the process of negotiations. The Local recently filed demands to bargain telework at both the National Benefit Center (NBC) and District 15 (ND, SD, MN, KS, NE, IA, MO). The next step in actual employee movement to telework is sorting through the almost 300 applications for telework arrangements and verifying service computation dates for seniority. In order to work in a telework environment on a "core" regularly-scheduled basis, a government computer at the alternative worksite is required. Those working an "episodic" arrangement may do so without a government computer. Approximately 100 computers are located at telework sites now and 150 computers are on order - although not all computers on order are destined for telework arrangements. The good news is that there is plenty of money to purchase the equipment and the order is in. The bad news is that those computers aren't on our dock and ready to issue. There is a purchasing backlog that is projected to be resolved by mid-September. Additionally, other events that are likely to occur before the end of the calendar year may produce a considerable number of computers for telework. Soon, if you have already made application to telework, you should receive a worksheet to verify your service dates to determine seniority, confirm your desired schedule, and re-state your preference for a core or episodic arrangement. You may want to consider an episodic arrangement to start with if you don't have much seniority. You can change it down the road as more computers come on line. We'll update you as new information comes along. Local 3928 union members may ask questions by emailing telework@afge3928.com.
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New OPM Chief Pushes for More Telework After meeting with AFGE President John Gage, Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry announced a plan to increase the number of teleworkers as a way to reduce traffic and improve employee morale and productivity. Berry's plan is drawn from two AFGE-backed bills introduced in Congress earlier this year: H.R.1722 and S.707. Under the plan, an advisory group of telework program managers will be set up to set goals to increase telework. Then agencies will submit their telework policies for review against the goals. Agencies will be encouraged to appoint a Telework Managing Officer who would oversee the agency's telework program. Agencies will also be encouraged to come up with a fair and transparent appeal process for employees whose telework applications are denied. Training will be provided to both employees and managers to make sure telework is implemented successfully and to erase fear and resistance to having staff work out of sight. AFGE has been at the forefront in promoting telework in the federal government. Telework is an important part of agency Continuity of Operations Plans implemented during a national health or weather emergency, but today only 5 percent of the nation's 1.9 million federal employees telework.090527
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