Last week, bipartisan legislation was introduced by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Krysten Sinema (I-AZ) that seeks to codify the right of federal employees use of remote work into law. This legislation is counter to proposed legislation like the SHOW UP Act in the House. The Telework Reform Act (S. 3015), also codifies the Office of Personnel Management’s definitions on remote and telework. The bill formalizes the requirement that teleworkers commute to their traditional worksite at least twice per pay period in addition to new reporting requirements for agencies.

The bill would require employees take annual training and that employees annually recertify their telework and remote work agreements with the agency based on performance and agency needs. Parts of the legislation are also dedicated to improving reporting from agencies on workplace health in conjunction with the use of workplace flexibilities such as telework and remote work.