§587 Telecommuting and Other Alternative Workplace Arrangements

Summary

The General Services Administration (GSA) can get, set up, and equip telecommuting centers for use by federal workers and, when space is available, by state, local, and private sector users. Federal employees get first priority. GSA must charge a user fee that is about the same as commercial rates and at least enough to cover setup, running, and reasonable replacement costs. The fees can go into the Federal Buildings Fund, and GSA can keep income from agencies or other sources to help pay telecommuting center costs. When agencies decide whether to buy or lease offices or buildings, they must think about using alternative workplace arrangements like telecommuting, hoteling, or virtual offices instead. GSA can give advice and help to set up and run those arrangements. A "flexiplace work telecommuting program" lets employees do some or all work at a telecommuting center. For each fiscal year, at least $50,000 from salaries-and-expenses funds must be reserved for these programs in each of the 20 named departments and agencies (for example, Agriculture; Defense; Treasury; Veterans Affairs; Postal Service; and others).