Telework Basics

Yes. Although the Act requires Federal agencies to establish telework policies ‘under which eligible employees of the agency may be authorized to telework,’ it does not obligate an employee to participate in an agency telework program. Accordingly, employee participation in a telework program is voluntary. In other words, an agency may not compel an employee to telework, even if the duties of the position make that employee "telework eligible." However, once an employee is participating in a telework program that participation will have implications for the employee, such as the expectation that the employee will continue to work under the weather and safety leave rules.