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The telework policy is the guiding document for an organization's telework program. It may specify rules
that all teleworkers must follow, as well as guidelines for employees and managers involved with telework. A
policy can be very short - just a statement about the purpose of the program and how it should be administered - or
it can be a lengthy document with numerous sections or clauses providing great detail on the responsibilities
and requirements of administration and participation.
One of the most significant advantages of having a policy is the sense of fairness it creates. When there is
a policy, there is greater likelihood that applications for telework are handled fairly, that denials of
telework are for business reasons, and that overall program administration is uniform across the organization.
Policies evolve as needs and circumstances change and may be revised from time to time. As more work is
accomplished via the Internet and through remote network connections, and as new technologies become
available, policies will need to be adjusted accordingly.
In preparing a policy, there is one concept that needs to be taken into consideration regarding almost
every issue; that is, the degree of authority that should be invested in the manager. When should the organization
write a rule that applies to everyone and when should manager make decisions on an individual basis? The answer
to this question depends at least somewhat on the culture of the organization. Most organizations limit rules
to their most essential concerns, such as information security and liability, and leave administrative decisions
to the managers. This may dictate the need for appropriate manager training.
The Toolkit includes a guide to writing a telework policy that includes the topics often found in policies
and language that is often used. Reviewing this will help the program team decide which issues need to be
addressed in your own policy.
A policy that is over-burdened with rules and regulations may discourage telework. Managers may be reluctant to
participate if approving an employee's telework request means a significant increase in their own workload.
The purpose of a policy is to help the program run smoothly, not to penalize staff.
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