Talking Telework with OPM Director John Berry and CTO Aneesh Chopra
I'm at the Telework Exchange Town Hall Meeting in downtown Washington, DC today, where Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry and Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra are both speaking about the importance of telework today. Each of them has had what I think are key takeaway points in their remarks this morning. From Berry:
When you think about it, the president is really the teleworker in chief. He's connected wherever he goes. Yesterday's a good example: New York City in the morning, Pittsburgh in the afternoon, and Washington at night. While the president has a little bit of a unique position, and everyone can't have all of his communications gear, the technology is catching up to that.
And from Chopra:
What I do not wish to accept is that the conversation ends at "we have security concerns, let's not proceed further on discussions of telework." Let's go about our business to find solution to those problems. We are hungry to bring the private sector's best practices into our operations, to as much as possible remove the barriers. There are a wide range of technologies both existing and emerging that would help to move the ball forward in many of these circumstances.
In other words, lack of technology shouldn't be a barrier. If agencies need to upgrade, they need to upgrade. But that's a fact of life (and in fact, something federal agencies have an opportunity to do through regularly-scheduled computer upgrades), not an insurmountable hurdle.
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lack of technology is not the stumbling block for a teleworker. It is OPSEC and local politics which sometimes demands the presence of the employee. Broad consensus may possibly emerge if teleworking is viewed as a disaster recovery mitigator. Its sad that Mr. Chopra views security as an obstacle rather than an enabler. Seems to show we have the wrong person at the helm.
US Posted Thursday, September 24, 2009 10:29 AMAgreed. Technology is abundant. Telework needs leadership.
Telesaur Posted Thursday, September 24, 2009 10:49 AMThis was a great event! I got many good takeaways! Telecommute is the workforce of the day!
Ken Posted Thursday, September 24, 2009 2:08 PMThe telecommuter is productive, innovative, creative, and effective! Thumbs up for telecommute workforce!
Trust is the issue.
Margaret Posted Saturday, October 3, 2009 9:44 PMIf the employee is mature and sees the privilege teleworking is-- all is Great. I am one of these individuals and have been immensely productive by working at home. At least 2 to 3 times more productive and Happier working 2-3 days weekly at home. But, I work with a 27 year old male who is very minimally self-motivated and if I was his manager, I'd never recommend HE work from home. Frankly, I believe this guy should be fired, but, I am not his boss, yet.
Teleworking is exceedingly smart and appropriate for A Lot of professional people who are hard working and trustworthy.