[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65373-65374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27973]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

[Treasury Directive Number 74-14]


Treasury Telework and Flexiplace Program

October 18, 2000.

1. Purpose

    This directive establishes the Department's policy for alternative 
workplace arrangements. It authorizes the use of Telework programs by 
Treasury bureaus and offices by permitting employees to work full or 
part-time at approved locations other than their official duty station. 
This directive sets forth a program that provides an opportunity for an 
employee to work at an alternative work site without changing an 
employee's official duty station or other conditions of employment.

2. Policy

    It is the policy of the Department of the Treasury to provide 
employees the opportunity to utilize technology in order to participate 
in Telework programs where practical and consistent with agency 
mission. Consistent with the guidance set forth in this directive, each 
Treasury bureau or office shall establish a Telework program that 
permits it to meet its specific mission while supporting teleworking.

3. Background

    Teleworking is a flexible arrangement that allows an employee to 
work away from the traditional office or official duty station in 
either (1) his/her home, (2) a Telework center, such as those 
established by the General Services Administration (GSA) or, (3) a 
virtual or mobile office setting. Telework programs may be designed to 
allow employees to work full or part-time, depending on the mission of 
the bureau and the roles and responsibilities of a particular office 
and its employees.
    Programs may be designed for purposes such as: (1) Improving the 
bureau's ability to recruit and retain employees in a highly 
competitive market, (2) achieving cost savings by reducing real 
property needed for office space, (3) increasing employee morale and 
productivity, (4) and reducing traffic congestion, energy consumption, 
and air pollution.

4. Definitions

    The following are definitions of terms used in this document:
    a. Flexiplace. An alternative location at which an employee is 
allowed to work in lieu of reporting to the official duty station. The 
work site is not to be considered a barrier to an employee's ability to 
perform such obligations as official travel, attending face-to-face 
meetings and communication with colleagues and customers. Flexiplace 
addresses the location of the work site as opposed to the work 
schedule.
    b. Telework. A program permitting employees to work at designated 
locations including work at home or other preapproved alternative work 
site.
    c. Teleworker. An employee who, with the approval of his/her 
supervisor, works full or part-time at locations or work sites other 
than the official duty station.
    d. Telework Center. A facility established under section 210(1) of 
the Federal Property and Administration Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 
490(1)) or other Federal law, composed of generic workstations designed 
to accommodate employees from different agencies. Telework centers are 
equipped with telecommunications and other office equipment to 
facilitate communication with the official duty station and other 
places of business, to perform daily routine work responsibilities. 
Telework centers are generally located in easily accessible light 
industrial or commercial zones near large residential areas.
    e. Full time Employee. One who works a 40-hour workweek consisting 
of specific days and hours at a designated

[[Page 65374]]

work site(s). Full time employees must meet all obligations of the 
position regardless of work site arrangement.

5. Responsibilities

    a. The Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial 
Officer is responsible for the overall administration of the 
Departmental Telework and Flexiplace program.
    b. The Deputy Assistant Secretary (Management Operations) and the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Human Resources) shall:
    (1) designate:
    (a) a Departmental coordinator to serve as primary contact, and
    (b) Program Managers to provide information and support resources 
to assist in the organization and implementation of Telework programs 
throughout the Department;
    (2) identify training and support resources, and coordinate 
Treasury initiatives and reports as required.
    c. The Deputy Assistant Secretary (Information Systems) and Chief 
Information Officer shall provide advisory information systems services 
to support the Telework programs as needed.
    d. The Chief Management and Administrative Programs Officer, Heads 
of Bureaus and Offices, the Inspector General, and the Inspector 
General for Tax Administration, as it relates to their respective 
bureaus and offices, shall:
    (1) establish Telework programs at all bureau/office locations 
where possible and appropriate to bureau/office mission;
    (2) appoint one or more Bureau/Office Telework Coordinator(s) to 
serve as contact and liaison between the Department and the bureau/
office;
    (3) within 90 days of the effective date of this directive, 
establish a bureau/office baseline on employee Telework participation, 
to be used in program evaluations and future progress reports;
    (4) submit annual reports within 30 days of the end of the fiscal 
year to the Departmental Coordinators on the status of the bureau/
office Telework program; and
    (5) complete all labor relations responsibilities.

6. Telework Arrangements

    a. Participation in a telework arrangement is not an employee 
entitlement. An employee may participate in the program if the 
responsible supervisor or designee decides that the employee's job 
duties are appropriate for offsite work
    b. The telework arrangement under which an employee will perform 
work must be clearly set forth in a written agreement and signed by the 
respective supervisor and employee. The agreement must specify:
    (1) The alternative work site (i.e., work-at-home, Telework center 
or other),
    (2) Specific hours and days per week to be worked at the alternate 
work place,
     (3) Pertinent office equipment to be provided and by whom,
    (4) Method of communication to be used between the official duty 
station and alternate work place, and
    (5) Duties to be performed and methods of evaluation to be 
employed.
    c. A Telework arrangement does not alter the terms and conditions 
of appointment, including an employee's official duty station, salary, 
benefits, individual rights, or obligations. All pay, leave, and travel 
entitlement shall be based on the official duty station. The Telework 
arrangement shall not affect other conditions of employment, e.g., 
hours of work, unless otherwise specified in the Telework agreement.
    d. Upon appropriate notice the bureau (manager) or designee, has 
the right to inspect the home or alternate work site and equipment to 
be used by an employee to ensure that proposed work space is safe, and 
all equipment is adequately installed and performing properly.
    e. The Telework agreement between employee and supervisor may be 
terminated at the discretion of the supervisor.
    f. The Telework arrangement shall be for the performance of 
official duties and shall not be treated as an opportunity to conduct 
personal business.
    g. Each bureau/office may issue additional criteria in accordance 
with this Directive and with Treasury Publication TD P 74-14, 
Department of Treasury Telework Handbook, which provides additional 
general information and guidance regarding Telework programs. This 
manual is available through the Department's Office of Asset Management 
and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources.

7. Authorities

    a. Federal Employees Clean Air Incentives Act, (Pub. L. 103-172 
(November 11, 1993).
    b. Memorandum on Expanding Family-Friendly Work Arrangements in the 
Executive Branch, 30 Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. 1468 (July 11, 1994).
    c. Memorandum Implementing Federal Family Friendly Work 
Arrangements, 32 Weekly Comp. 1119 (June 21, 1996).
    d. National Telecommuting Initiative Action Plan, (President's 
Management Council, January 1996).

8. Office of Primary Interest

    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief 
Financial Officer, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Human 
Resources), Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Management 
Operations), and Office of Asset Management.

Lisa Ross,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-27973 Filed 10-31-00; 8:45 am]
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