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• Here are a couple of thoughts/suggestions -

  1. Think before you send a 747 with escort for a stupid photo op.

  What is the carbon footprint for that fiasco, not to mention the operational costs? Now add the unneeded stress obviously experienced by those in NYC.

  This makes the flight to Iowa for Earth Day seem mild by comparison.

  2. Stop offering to throw money at something which you have yet to even find out the magnitude of (Swine Flu). The drug industry seems to be doing just fine without more government funding.

  Bud Posted Tuesday, April 28, 2009 11:48 AM

• Keep it informal and short. No money prizes. As a onetime suggestion program manager I warn that 99.9% will be nutty ideas.

  Wise Old Owl Posted Tuesday, April 28, 2009 12:16 PM

• I work for DHS (Customs and Border Protection) and currently hold the position of Branch Chief, Human Capital Policy & Planning for one of CBP's major offices. I am tasked with researching the feasibility of usage and crafting a proposed implementation plan for telework. I am in the beginning stages of my proposal but know this program’s details well. However, I am finding that it will be initially very costly to provide the I.T. support and other associated cost, per employee, in order to support this effort. All agencies, including my own, will be “cash-strapped” in funding such an effort. I believe agencies will need supplemental funding from the President in order to adequately implement this program. While I haven’t read the bills that are being proposed, I understand there will be an effort to have a higher percentage of employees participate in telework than there are currently. Agencies don't need to just put "a few" employees on telework but at least 20% of the workforce -- that will take a lot of money (for all I.T. equipment set up in employees' homes). I can tell you that telework sites for most employees won't work due to the nature of their work (sensitive and privacy act information). They need to work from home. Very costly program and agencies need funding. I fully support this Administration's efforts on this program -- don't get me wrong -- I used to work at OPM and know the senior staff there well. They will put forth a herculean effort and do an excellent job in implementing/extending this program beyond its current usage. However, I can tell you from experience that agencies will need supplemental funding to support the expansion -- just like the supplemental recently provided for transit subsidy in the DC area.

  Mike LeCroy Posted Thursday, April 30, 2009 7:36 AM

• Please look at the abuse of religious compensation in the Federal Government. There needs to be some restriction on the number of days per year. There are people using their earned annual and sick leave as they earn it and then requesting religious comp to take vacations. This has put a strain on the workloads in the Government as employees are taking so much more additional time off. There have been many complaints about the abuse of religious comp time.

  Linda Chaney Posted Thursday, April 30, 2009 7:55 AM

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