Lankford Pushes for More Accountability with Federal Employee Telework to Help Military Spouses, Recruitment of Federal Workers 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) along with Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) today introduced the Telework Reform Act to better equip federal agencies to recruit strong candidates to remote work positions and to promote the management, accountability, and transparency of federal telework environments. This bill directs federal agencies to identify job classifications which could benefit from being performed through remote work and gives them tools to quickly hire spouses of servicemembers and law enforcement to those positions all while ensuring that federal agencies can properly operate and serve the American people without disruption of services. 

“As the structure of the work environment and the culture of the workforce changes we are seeing more and more remote workers. This is a great recruiting tool for military and law enforcement spouses who wish to support their loved ones while also pursuing their own career,” said Lankford. “The spouse of a Border Patrol agent working in the small town of Eagle Pass, TX might not be able to find a job that fits their education or training, but remote work for a federal agency may be a great opportunity. By re-thinking how the government uses remote work, we are encouraging federal agencies to hire in diverse communities across the country; instead of requiring our workforce to be centralized in Washington, DC. We should allow both people to serve their nation and build a career.” 

“We’re cutting costs and expanding career opportunities by improving federal telework for Arizonans and military spouses who rely on telework to stay employed when moving due to military orders,” said Sinema.

Lankford introduced the Military Spouses Employment Act earlier this year to allow military spouses to have a remote work career with any federal agency, which would allow them to build a career while they move with their spouse. 

Specifically, the bill would, 

• Enhance the training and monitoring, policy and support, accountability, and reporting with respect to remote work and telework.
• Direct agencies to identify potential value from increasing remote and other telework opportunities, which job classifications could benefit from being performed through telework, and expected cost savings and productivity outcomes resulting from the increased use of remote work and telework. 
• Promote the hiring of veterans, spouses of service members, spouses of federal law enforcement officers, and certain individuals who have proven to be high-performing federal employees. 

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