Telework is an alternative work arrangement for civilian employees and military members to conduct all or some of their work away from the primary workplace. This concept can be applied to a variety of work experiences. Work locations might include residences, telework centers, or other acceptable locations. Telework schedules may be fixed or on an occasional basis. Telework benefits both the agency and the civilian employees and military members in a number of ways including:
- Increases employees’ productivity
- Optimizes the use of technology
- Provides a tool to attract and retain skilled employees
- Improves the quality of work life
- Reduces commuting time and expense to employees
- Offers reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities
- Ensures continuity of essential Government functions in the event of national or local emergencies
Commandant Instruction 5330.4 (series) outlines the Coast Guard's Telework Program. The policy covers active duty/reserve military and appropriated/non-appropriated civilian employees. Telework is NOT a right or entitlement. However, it is a management tool to improve productivity by using the advantages of technology to gain flexibility in the workplace and support continuity of operations efforts. Telework is separate and distinct from remote work with differing statutory frameworks and policy implications. As provided in Commandant Instruction 5330.4, full-time telework is no longer permitted.
- Civilian employees must physically report to their official Coast Guard worksite on a regular and recurring basis at least twice in a pay period;
- Military members must physically report to their official Coast Guard worksite on a regular and recurring basis at least four days each month.
Civilian employees unable to meet this reporting requirement at a Coast Guard worksite are defined as remote workers in accordance with the Coast Guard Remote Work Program, found here.
Civilian employees and military members who participate in telework must complete a telework agreement. The telework agreement must be retained by the employee/member and their supervisor. The telework agreement form CG-5330 can be found at the link to the left.
In order to participate in telework, civilian employees and military members, and their supervisors are required to complete telework training prior to entering into a telework agreement. The training courses, Telework for Government Employees (502807) and Telework Fundamentals - Manager Training (502808) are available in CG-OWL in the Human Resources catalog at the following link: Coast Guard Online World of Learning (uscg.mil). These training courses, developed by the Office of Personnel Management and the General Services Administration, meet the interactive training requirements of the Telework Enhancement Act. Civilian employees and military members teleworking prior to the effective date of the Act. (and their supervisors) are exempt from this requirement but are encouraged take the training. Additional training resources are available on the LMS Skillport portal: https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/training/SitePages/Skillport.aspx, search telework.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the General Services Administration (GSA) have established a joint web site on Telework to provide access to guidance issued by both agencies. Telework.gov also contains information regarding telework laws, agency telework policies, telework FAQs, and annual reports to Congress on telework in the Federal Government.
Questions regarding the Coast Guard Telework program may be directed to cgtelework@uscg.mil.