{"id":22689,"date":"2020-03-23T13:58:13","date_gmt":"2020-03-23T13:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/23\/senators-introduce-bill-expanding-telework-during-pandemic\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T04:52:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T04:52:57","slug":"senators-introduce-bill-expanding-telework-during-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/fedlife\/health\/2020\/03\/23\/senators-introduce-bill-expanding-telework-during-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Senators introduce bill expanding telework during pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A bipartisan group of senators introduced legislation requiring federal agencies to maximize telework policies<\/a> for federal employees during the coronavirus crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While government continues to operate during the coronavirus outbreak, the Emergency Telework Act would \u201cgive a clear directive\u201d to agencies to allow all telework eligible employees<\/a> to work from home full time unless there is a clear and compelling reason not to allow it, according to a news release from Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. It also directs federal agencies to evaluate if non-telework-eligible employees can be telework-eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legislation was introduced by Van Hollen, Sens. James Lankford, R-Okla., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz. In a statement, Van Hollen said that government isn\u2019t leading by example on telework policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInstead, we\u2019re hearing from employees across the federal government who have been forced to come into the office even when they\u2019re able to work from home,\u201d said Van Hollen. “The inconsistent federal response is senseless, and ultimately, in the face of the coronavirus, it endangers the health and safety of thousands. We must act to maximize telework now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t