In case, say, a Pandemic Hit

In the federal government, it's actually been a mandate since the year 2000 that every federal worker is supposed to work from home to the maximum extent possible. And in their case, it's for continuity of operations in case, say, a pandemic hit and people weren't able to go to work. - Kate Lister

Wow. I didn't know that regulation. -

Jeff Frick

---

So I had to look it up.

Instead of checking my notes, I remember enough for a good prompt.

Prompt - Find all the US Legislation, in the range of 2000 ish +/- 10 years, around working remotely. For continuity, especially as an effect of the 9/11 crashes and office disruption, at the pentagon specifically for federal preparedness.

Chat GPT - The US federal government has implemented several legislative measures and policies to promote telework, especially in response to continuity concerns following the 9/11 attacks. Key legislation includes:

1. **Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-292)**: Enacted on December 9, 2010, this act is a significant piece of legislation aimed at improving telework across the federal government. It requires each agency to incorporate telework into their Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) and encourages the use of telework to ensure that federal agencies can continue functioning during emergencies, such as natural disasters or other crises ([GAO-11-628 Emergency Preparedness: Agencies Need Coordinated Guidance on Incorporating Telework into Emergency and Continuity Planning](https://www.gao.gov/pdf/product/new-items-d11628)).

2. **Section 359 of Public Law 106-346 (October 2000)**: This section mandated that each executive branch agency establish a telework policy under which eligible employees may participate in telecommuting to the maximum extent possible without diminished employee performance. It also directed the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to ensure that the law’s requirements were applied progressively to the federal workforce, aiming for complete implementation by 2004 ([GAO-11-628 Emergency Preparedness: Agencies Need Coordinated Guidance on Incorporating Telework into Emergency and Continuity Planning](https://www.gao.gov/pdf/product/new-items-d11628)).

Post-9/11, the focus on telework was part of a broader strategy to enhance the federal government's readiness and resilience in the face of emergencies. This included developing infrastructure and protocols that enable continued government functioning if traditional office environments were disrupted ([Emergency Preparedness: Agencies Need Coordinated Guidance on Incorporating Telework into Emergency and Continuity Planning | U.S. GAO](https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-11-628)) ([Implementing 9/11 Commission Recommendations | Homeland Security](https://www.dhs.gov/implementing-911-commission-recommendations)).

The guidance and regulations provided by agencies like OPM, the General Services Administration (GSA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have been crucial in defining and supporting the practical implementation of these laws. They address issues such as IT infrastructure requirements, operational coordination, and the specific needs of telework in emergency scenarios ([Emergency Planning - OPM.gov](https://www.opm.gov/telework/supervisors-managing-teleworkers/emergency-planning/)).

These measures reflect a shift in policy to not only accommodate flexible work arrangements but also to leverage them as a strategic component of emergency preparedness and operational continuity.

Full length conversation
Kate Lister: Research, People, Trust | Work 20XX podcast with Jeff Frick -

- Transcript and Extensive Show notes - https://www.work20xx.com/episode/kate-lister-research-people-trust-work-20xx-12

or wherever you podcast

#Leadership # Continuity # Preparedness #Federal #Mandate #WorkFromHome #WFH #Workplace #Office #Digital #Distributed #Hybrid #Remote #FederalMandate #GovernmentPolicy #Pandemic #Preparation #ContinuityOfOperations #Interview #Podcast #Work20XX