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Show HILLTOP TIMES 4 TIMES February 11, 2010 Telework is it right for you and your organization? BY BARBARA HANLIN Deputy Director, Manpower, Personnel and Training Ogden Air Logistics Center A s some of you may already be aware, telework arrangements are currently being used throughout the federal government as an employment incentive. Some rationale for adding this flexibility is "to increase employee productivity and satisfaction, increase attractiveness as an employer in competing with private industry, accommodate persons with disabilities, complement Continuity of Operations Program (COOP) plans and lessen environmental impact on automobile usage," as the center policy for telework implementation explains. Hill Air Force Base has recently implemented a pilot telework program effective Dec. 14,2009, through Dec. 13,2010. There are two varieties of telework offered up to two days per week: regular and recurring and ad hoc. The important item to note is that telework is not appropriate for every situation and not everyone will get to participate. So is it right for you and your organization? Military Special Includes: -Fed 1040 - Schedule M -Home of record state return - Electronic Filing In order to qualify for telework, both the employee and the position must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the policy. But before you review the guidance, here is some of the written center policy information to take into consideration: "Not all positions will qualify for telework. Telework is only appropriate if it benefits the government, and the work activities are portable, do not depend on the employee being at the traditional worksite, no access to classified information, no security issues and are conducive to supervisory oversight at the alternate worksite. Supervisory oversight to include accountability for time and work produced and possible worksite inspection." The policy goes on to say, "Telework is not an entitlement; management has the right to decline an employee's use of the telework option. Again, use of telework must meet the organization's needs and that includes the ability to provide support to our customers. Management decides whether the employee may telework, depending on the nature of the position and the level of the employee's performance. Management may suspend telework agreements at any time without notice and also reserves the right to recall the employee into the workplace as necessary." Some of the questions you need to ask yourself: Do I have the ability to work independently and without close supervision? Do I currently have, at minimum, a fully successful performance rating? Have I had the proper training? Am I selfmotivated, able to stay focused and not get distracted with the day-to-day? Do I have good communication with my supervisor and co-workers? Is my telework office space safe and conducive to getting the work done? Are proper child care arrangements in place? Your supervisor will also be evaluating to see if telework will have a negative impact on your office and organization regarding equipment costs and productivity; on your co-workers for morale and workload distribution and ultimately the customer. As you can imagine, there are computer equipment, safety and security liability issues to address prior to telework commencing. Because of this, participation in the telework program must also be ap- proved by Information Technology, or IT. The written policy points out, "It is not the intention of telework to provide dependent care or for any purpose other than official duty time. There are current leave rules in place for those contingencies such as annual or sick leave and the Family Medical Leave Act. There are also restrictions that affect earning credit hours or fitness time while on telework so please read the policy guidance carefully." If you are interested in participating in the pilot program, please review the telework policy, ask yourself honestly the above questions, and speak with your supervisor about whether telework is right for you and your organization. The telework policy, application and agreement is located on the Hill Guidance Memorandums site at: httpS'Y/cs.eis.afmc. af.mil/sites/Hill/PoKcy/OOALC%20Policies/Forms/Input%20View.aspx. Specific questions about this program may be addressed to your servicing Employees Relations Specialist in OO-ALC/ DPCE, or Amber Hill, at (801) 586-5868. Hill composed the center policy, and she can assist you with your questions. Students send special valentines to deployed troops Supplies for Iraqi schoolchildren to accompany packages BY LEE ANNE HENSLEY Hilltop Times staff T (o) Mustpresent this ad for discount . '^nft-W -^j-i^Mt.- • Lisa J Evans 801-528-4554 www.alanstax.com he students of St. JosephCatholic School in Ogden are sending love to deployed military members and Iraqi schoolchildren by shipping care packages which will be delivered to them around Valentine's Day. * Preparation of the care packages was done to honor the theme of this year's celebration of Catholic Schools Week, "Catholic Schools — Dividends for Life." Catholic Schools Week ti, almait tt&teJ LEE ANNE HENSLEY/Hilltop Times Packages containing valentines handmade by St. Joseph schoolchildren await delivery to deployed military members. is celebrated nationally each year to focus attention on philanthropic efforts made by the nation's Catholic schools. The week was observed this year Jan. 31-Feb. 6. "During the week we raised awareness of the needs of the world around us by Advertisement News From The Base All Love Lines will be posled in the Standard-Examiner Classified Section on Valeniine's Day, Sunday, February 14th. BUoutlUem I Address: I Phone: L Message: (must be 25 words or less) Unidentified disruptance raises alarm. At the first sign of daylight rising over the Wasatch Front, alarming sounds could be heard from one barrack within the 419th Fighter Wing. After great speculation and distress, volunteers discovered 2nd Lt. David Wayne sitting on the edge of his bed, loudly coughing. After further investigation, it was revealed that the coughing was merely his morning ritual due to his tobacco addiction. With 4,000 chemicals in a single cigarette, it's no wonder his body was trying to expel the toxins. Luckily, there's help—for David and for you. To quit, call 1.888367. TRUTH or visit utahquitnet.com. Erin Almony delivers packages to Staff Sgt. Kevin Dilley as Senior Airman Derrick Schwieters watches. Both are 75th Air Base Wing chaplains assistants. participating in various charitable efforts, such as the Heifer International Drive," said Heidi Chudy, the school's activities coordinator. "The last day of the week was specified as the day to give thanks for those who defend our nation." Chudy said raising awareness for the world that surrounds the students supports the week's theme, Dividends for Life, "because what they learn now about their world will last throughout their lifetime." The care packages assembled for the deployed military troops included Valentines cards handmade by the students, along with ancillary items such as snacks and hygienic supplies. The care packages assembled for the Iraqi schoolchildren included crayons, pencils and notebooks. More than a dozen boxes filled with these items were delivered by several students to Staff Sgt. Kevin Dilley and Senior Airman Derrick Schwieters, both chaplains' assistants with the 75th Air Base Wing, during a mass held at the school Feb. 5. The packages were shipped later that day to Chaplain (Maj.) Daniel Waterman, who is currently deployed to a joint base in Ira;q from Hill Air Force Base. Waterman is participating in a program there that collects and distributes school supplies for Iraqi schoolchildren, called Op- ; eration International Children. According to its Web'site, operationiraqichildren.org, since the nonprofit organization's inception in 2004 it has delivered approximately 289,595 school supply kits toi school children in Iraq and Afghanistan, helping to foster positive^ relations between the U.S. and the two warafflicted countries. : Equally impor- 1 tant for raising mo- • rale among those in ; the fight, Dilley and ; Schwieters said the • care packages for the military troops will t>e very well received. \ "Having been on the receiving side whenj I got a care package; when I was deployed," said Dilley, "I know • that it really does ; make a big differ- ! ence." \ "It not only brightjens your day but it ; also makes it feel like what you are doing ; is worth it," added ; Schwieters. "It is nicie to know that Ameri- \ ca is still supporting: you." |