After Pushing Telework, GSA Tries to Lead Way

At the Telework Exchange forum, Doan said the GSA looks forward to working with Congress on expanding the number of federal employees who are deemed eligible for telecommuting by their agencies.

Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-Va.), who has urged agencies to set up telecommuting programs, called Doan's plan for GSA "a great idea," adding that her initiative "is a good thing for the whole government. I salute it and commend it."

Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) said expanding telework opportunities is a way "to reduce carbon emissions and traffic gridlock and to improve quality of life and recruitment efforts in the federal workforce."

The House recently approved, as part of an energy bill, a Sarbanes measure that would encourage agencies to allow as many employees to telecommute as possible, as along as the effort did not prove disruptive to the agency's mission.

Stephen O'Keefe, executive director of the Telework Exchange, called Doan's plan "very encouraging."

"I think it is great to see the government, at the highest level, sign up to tangible telework goals," he said.

Doan acknowledged that she has set "an incredibly aggressive and ambitious goal" for the agency but said the GSA should be able to achieve it "if we are very disciplined in our approach."

Asked if she would be working at home at least one day a week, Doan did not rule it out but noted that she travels frequently to GSA field offices and carries three BlackBerrys. "So I do telework inherently," she said.

Stephen Barr's e-mail address isbarrs@washpost.com.