Roles and Responsibilities of Teleworking Employees in the NIH Workplace Flexibilities Program
- Employees should have an initial discussion with their supervisor about their desire for a telework arrangement. Thereafter, employees may request telework via submission of a Workplace Flexibilities Agreement (WFA).
- Obtain supervisor’s approval prior to making any changes to alternative worksite and/or schedule.
- Complete mandatory workplace flexibilities training prior to entering into any WFA. Training is required annually, or for each new WFA.
- Maintain a current telework WFA detailing any emergency responsibilities specified for a continuity and/or pandemic event, as appropriate for the approved flexibilities.
- Ensure telework WFA accurately reflects alternative worksite information, timely request an update to the WFA if circumstances change, and renew the WFA annually.
- Notify the supervisor of a decision to end participation in the Workplace Flexibilities Program (WFP).
- Notify supervisor within one (1) hour whenever problems arise that may adversely affect ability to perform work at the alternative worksite (e.g., power outages, technology issues, sick family members who require substantial attention, or other personal matters impacting their ability to perform their duties).
- Comply with the appropriate protocol for reporting computer security incidents or when the employee suspects there may have been an incident.
- Adhere to the Standards of Conduct for Executive Branch employees and to supplemental standards, as issued.
- During the hours the employee is on duty at an alternative worksite, the employee must be accessible by telephone, e-mail, instant messaging system, or other appropriate communication technology or software, as determined by management.
- Ensure all Government-owned equipment is used in compliance with Departmental and OpDiv/StaffDiv policies. Additionally, the employee shall ensure they use the Department’s VPN account to access all Government systems while working at the alternative worksite.
- Those employees who telework on a situational/ad-hoc basis should participate in telework at least once per quarter to ensure readiness and to maintain the necessary discipline, approach, and skills.
- Be familiar with the agency's emergency plans (continuity plan, pandemic plan, etc.) and the manager's expectations for how the employee will telework during such events.