Is Your Agency Mobile Ready?

Agencies are incorporating telework into their continuity of operations plans, but many still have some work to do when it comes to having the plans, tools and support necessary to manage a mobile workforce.

In a webcast on Tuesday by Telework Exchange, the majority of participants noted that their agency has incorporated telework into continuity of operations plans. For example, 63 percent said Telework is part of COOP, while 19 percent said it was not and 18 percent were unsure.

But while telework may be in COOP plans, participants were more doubtful of the ability of their agency to have the plans, tools and support necessary to actually manage a mobile workforce. When grading their agencies on mobile readiness, only 10 percent gave their agency an A, while 31.8 percent graded their agency a B and 36.4 percent gave their agency a C. Sixteen percent gave their agency a D, and 6.4 percent graded their agency an F on mobile readiness, according to the results.

Meanwhile, participants noted that the need for telework has increased mostly due to an increased focus on business continuity preparedness (41.4 percent). Increased employee demand for teleworking (27.6 percent), recruitment and retention (16.4 percent) and increased customer/client demands (5.2 percent) also are playing a role in telework's expansion across the federal government, respondents noted.

"As we're just coming off the heels of a series of weather-related events here in Washington -- an earthquake, some floods and even a hurricane, I can't think of a better time to have this discussion," said Josh Sawislak, senior fellow for Telework Exchange, during the webcast. "September is national preparedness month... so it's a really good time to talk about telework. Whether you're here in Washington, New York or even Nebraska, these are issues you want to be prepared for."

Where does your agency stand on telework, and what grade would you give your agency for mobile readiness?