How can I sell FT (or even PT) telework to my Fed Agency?

[Anonymous]

I recently wrote a post asking about where to live when my DH gets transferred up to Frederick, MD. After research, I just don't think it's possible to maintain my job in SW without a mega commute. I just can't do that. I feel like we have little free time as it is and I can't live my life (or waste my kids' lives) on 270. It's important for DH to be close to his job, based on his duties, so I feel stuck. He has ruled out N. Bethesda, N. Potomac, Rockville, and even Gaithersburg/Germantown. He'd consider Clarksburg but we're now to a point where my commute is going to suck.

SO....I'm wondering if I should use whatever leverage I've earned in this job to ask to work FT telecommute. How would I even go about doing this? I have no problem coming in to the office once (or maybe twice?!) a pay period but I can't do it every day. No way.

Has anyone done this before? How did you sell it to management? I want them to think that they need ME to continue doing this job, even if it means I'm not in the office every day.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, it's OP again. I should add, I am currently the only one in my office who has any sort of telework agreement in place (negotiated it when I took the job 2 years ago). Currently, I'm allowed 1 day of telework per pay period. It's working out but I know there are some who are suspicious of the whole arrangement. That worries me when I think about asking for the full meal deal.

[Anonymous]

Without knowing anything about your job, it's hard to give you specific pointers on how much they need you, and only you. I'm going to guess you might work out something where you could telecommute 3-4 days a week, but they'd want you in for 1-2 days per week. If there's some reason they need you to be in the office some of the time, like client interface, then you should anticipate these arguments and have answers for them.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, the fact that your DH has ruled out North Bethesda, Rockville et cetera is a personal issue, and it is not going to convince your agency to change its policies. They are going to look at the length of your commute as a personal issue. I have, however, seen offices make accommodations for workers who moved who they really, really loved and wanted to keep. If that's you, you can count yourself lucky!

[Anonymous]

Yes, PP, you have a point. That's the point that I fear I'm going to lose in all of this. Still, it's worth a shot.

The "client interface" portion of my job is what I excel in, so I am going ot have to think hard about how to make this work.

I guess I'd just like to hear tips, recommendations, and personal stories of those who have managed to do it.

[Anonymous]

Not a fed, but I was able to swing a gig where I WAH 4days/wk and commute in (1.5hr commute) one day a week (occasionally more if there are meetings I need to attend) -- but I work for an organization where probably 50% of people have some sort of telecommuting arrangement.

I think it helps your case if the options for them are either (1) losing you altogether or (2) allowing the telecommuting. When I was faced with our move, I went into my manager and talked about how much I valued working for the organization and hoped we could find something mutually beneficial arrangement - but if not I was prepared to resign. Having my manager advocating for me made all the difference with HR. Of course, this approach only really works if you are in fact considering quitting if you can't work something out.

[Anonymous]

Tell your husband you will be a SAHM if he moves to Clarksburg. Why are his needs more important than yours? This is not a commute/work issue.

[Anonymous]

PP, it really is a commute / work issue. His job is the "primary" job in our family. He is military, so he doesn't have a choice about where he moves or his hours. I went into our relationship knowing that. I love my current job and would be ecstatic to find a way to keep it. However, if it doesn't work for our family then, yes, I will be a SAHM. My DH would hardly see that as a threat!

[Anonymous]

Which agency do you work for?

[Anonymous]

It's going to be a hard sell OP. I think success in getting any type of substantial, continuous agreement approved is entirely dependent on whether or not you work at a telework-friendly agency. Unfortunately, it sounds like you may not. I would consider my agency very telework friendly in that more than ½ of my team telework at least one day a week and probably ¾ at least once a pay period. Even still, there is only one person that I know of who teleworks full-time (and she's been here since 800 B.C.

I would start thinking about a plan B (or C).

[Anonymous]

Consider Flexiplace instead of telework. I know someone who works for an agency that is based downtown, but she is able to work from a satellite office near Frederick. This was a good balance because it put her closer to home, but kept her in the loop in terms of office equipment/network (and alleviate management's concerns, whether valid or not, that she would not actually work when at home.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, the fact that your DH has ruled out North Bethesda, Rockville et cetera is a personal issue, and it is not going to convince your agency to change its policies. They are going to look at the length of your commute as a personal issue. I have, however, seen offices make accommodations for workers who moved who they really, really loved and wanted to keep. If that's you, you can count yourself lucky!

My office made an accommodation for me - basically, they moved my position to another city when I told them I was looking for jobs on the outside. I think what really helped is the fact that there was a hiring freeze and if they lost me they wouldn't be able to replace me for a long time. (On top of that, I had a good reputation in my agency, where I've worked for a few years.)