Every executive agency must publish a telework policy under the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010. Policies change, so we do not summarise specific rules here. Instead, this page explains where each major agency publishes its policy. Always rely on the official text and your agency's telework coordinator.
Where agencies publish their policies
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): the HHS telework policy is part of its HR instructions. Start at HHS Office of Human Resources.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): DHS publishes management directives, including telework, in its publications library.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): VA directives and handbooks, including the telework handbook, are on the VA Publications site.
- Department of Defense (DoD): DoD Instruction 1035.01 covers telework. Find it through DoD Issuances.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): IRS personnel policy is published in the Internal Revenue Manual, Part 6 (Human Resources Management).
- All agencies: OPM publishes annual reports to Congress on federal telework at telework.gov, and agency telework contacts are listed through opm.gov/telework.
What to look for in a policy
- How eligibility is determined and who approves it.
- Required training and the written agreement form.
- Rules on situational telework during closures or emergencies.
- Equipment, IT security and records handling.
- How often agreements are reviewed.
See also: Federal telework: OPM rules and eligibility.