Telework Survey Response– Member of Congress Request, September 28, 2011

Table 1.Department of Homeland Security

(The questions apply with regard to permanent federal civilian employees of the department.)

Survey Questions / Response to Questions / Supplementary Notes From the Department
How does the telework plan for your department define telework? / A flexible work arrangement under which employees perform the duties and responsibilities of their position from an approved worksite other than the location from which the employee would otherwise work. / This definition will be included in the new DHS Telework Instruction, which is based on the Telework Enhancement Act (PL 111-292).
Which positions in your department are NOT eligible for telework?
Approximately, how many (number and percent of) employees in your department are NOT eligible to telework? / Approximately 70% (139,228) of allDHS positions (198,898) are not eligible to telework. These positions include CBP Officers, Transportation Security Officers, Secret Service Agents and others who are required to perform onsite activities.
What number and percent of your employees telework from home?
What number and percent of your employees telework from an alternative worksite? / Number of employees who telework from home = 3,280 or .016% (average for last two pay periods).
Number of employees who telework from alternate worksite = 269 or .001% (average for last two pay periods). / Total number of eligible employees = 59,670 (30%).
Identify the type and number of alternative worksites available for your employees to telework, i.e., the number of telecenters available, the number of hoteling arrangements available, and so forth. / Although some hoteling arrangements are available for specific groups of employees, the vast majority of teleworkers perform their duties from home. DHS does not have any telework centers.
Of the 2,087 work hours in a year, provide data on the approximate number and percentage of those work hours that are accomplished by employees during telework, for 2010 and anticipated for 2011. / Number of Telework Hours:
Calendar Year / # ofHours / % of Hours (Telework Hrs / Total Hrs)
2010 / 374,448 / .09 %
2011 / 1,048,625 / .25 %
/ CY 2010
Number of Teleworkers = 23,485
Number of DHS Employees at End of CY 2010 = 193,087
Total Telework Hours = 374,448
Total Work Hours Estimated = 193,087*2,087 = 402,972,569
% of Telework Hours = 374,448 / 402,972,569 = .09%
CY 2011
Number of Teleworkers = 56,528
Number of DHS Employees at End of CY 2011 (as of Oct. 8, 2011) = 199,895
Total Telework Hours = 1,048,625
Total Work Hours Estimated = 199,895 * 2,087 = 417,180,865
% of Telework Hours = 1,048,625 / 417,180,865 = .25%
Provide data on the dollar amount of savings in real estate costs achieved by your department through telework, from October 2010 through September 2011. Provide data on the number of work stations that are projected to be consolidated or eliminated as a result of telework over the next year. / Only two DHS components – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer – implemented office sharing in 2010. Although exact cost data is not available, the estimated annual cost savings is approximately $1 million. We expect to expand office-sharing arrangements in the future, but have not projected specific cost savings for FY2012. / DHS is designing a new “Flexible Work Strategy” in the near future to explore the possibility of expanding office sharing, especially in the Washington, D.C. area, to consolidate leased space.
Provide specific examples of how your department uses telework as a recruitment tool and as a retention tool. / For those positions eligible for telework, the option to telework is used by managers as a recruitment and retention tool on an ad hoc basis. Because the majority of the jobs in the Department do not lend themselves to telework, there isn’t a Department-wide strategy in place to use telework as a recruitment and retention tool.
Provide a copy of your department’s telework plan and any additional documents related to telework, i.e., requirements prescribed by your department for telecommunications and equipment for telework. / DHS has recently updated it’sTelework Directive and drafted a new Telework Instruction. Copies of both draft documents are attached. Our CIO has also submitted a plan to support telework to OMB.

Provide response to:

Barbara Schwemle

LOC/CRS/G&F

(202) 707-8655

(202) 707-3325