Impact of Telework on Retention Employees in the Federal Government

The Impact of Telework on Retention Employees in the Federal Government

The Impact of Telework on Retention Employees in the Federal Government

The nature of work is changing, along with the composition of the U.S. workforce. Information technology and communication systems are altering conventional views of time and space. In addition, the U.S. workforce (over 300 million people) has become increasingly diverse by gender, age, racial and ethnic background, religion, and sexual orientation, as well as by physical and mental ability. Employees are seeking work flexibilities that will allow them to better balance their personal lives and professional careers, resulting in a more satisfying quality of life. As a result, employers are challenged to enhance their competitive employment position by offering creative and innovative methods to provide work flexibilities to attract and retain employees (Doherty & Garey, 2002).

This amounts to a 38% increase in the next 10 years and a 75% increase in 25 years of skilled individuals exiting the workforce or skilled individuals working with a disability (Doherty & Garey, 2002). Studies show that many persons with disabilities require additional flexibilities to be effective in or to return to the workplace. Work flexibilities include, but not limited to, specific hiring authorities, alternative work schedules, employee assistance programs, childcare centers and assistance, transit subsidies, monetary recruitment and retention incentives, and telework options . Despite the progress made since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 and the subsequent implementation of work flexibilities, people with disabilities still experience unemployment at a rate far above the national average (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC], 2005). In 2000, 75% of the 30 million American adults with major disabilities were still without a job or underemployed.

Telework provides a greater opportunity to employ persons with ...