Impending storm highlights telework at agencies

A massive winter storm bearing down on the Washington area and the release of President Obama's fiscal 2011 budget recommendation this week have drawn attention to the administration's efforts to increase telework in federal agencies.

"This severe weather forecast presents a key opportunity for agencies to test their telework plans in the context of emergency preparedness," Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry wrote to the government's chief human capital officers in a Feb. 4 memo encouraging them to allow agency employees with existing telework agreements to work remotely on Friday. The metropolitan region's second major snowstorm of the season -- which could dump more than a foot of snow -- is scheduled to begin in late morning or early afternoon on Friday. As of Thursday afternoon, the federal government in Washington was operating under an unscheduled leave policy. Employees who are unable to make it into the office on Friday can take leave, but they must inform their supervisors that they plan to do so. Emergency employees are expected to report to work.