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The Telework Program

Person writing at desk teleworking.

 

Introducing Montgomery County Government's Telework Program

The Telework Program officially begins August 6, 2017

After completion of a successful pilot, Montgomery County Government (MCG) is pleased to introduce the Telework Program. The goals of the program are to increase employee productivity and morale, and support MCG's mission to provide a sustainable work environment for today and the future. 

MCG employees are eligible to apply for the Telework Program if their department participates in the program, except for the following groups: IAFF members, FOP members, and uniformed personnel in the public safety cluster. The number of days per week/month that employees may telework is subject to management discretion based on the operating needs of the employing department. For further details concerning eligibility, refer to the  Telework Policy and Procedures  document. To apply, please refer to the Forms, Training and Tests tab for the application materials and required training and assessment.


The Telework Program officially begins August 6, 2017

FAQ Topics

Who is eligible to apply to participate in the Telework Program?

Montgomery County Government employees are eligible to apply for the Telework Program if their department participates in the program, except for the following groups: IAFF members, FOP members, and uniformed personnel in the public safety cluster. The number of days per week/month that employees may telework is subject to management discretion based on the operating needs of the employing department.

Can all eligible employees participate in the Telework Program?

No; eligible employees must also:
  • Occupy an eligible position,
  • Have successfully completed their probationary period and achieved merit status,
  • Have an overall “meets expectations” performance rating for the previous rating period, and
  • Have received manager approval to participate in the program.
Employees who have been placed on a Work Improvement Plan within the 90 (ninety) days prior to starting telework are not eligible to participate. Also, employees who have received formal disciplinary action in the past year from the proposed start of telework may not be eligible to participate. For further details concerning eligibility, refer to the Telework Policy and Procedures document. 

When can Telework Program participants begin their telework schedule?

Once an eligible employee has been approved to telework and completed the training and assessment, they may begin their agreed upon telework schedule as outlined in their Telework Agreement.

If I change positions, may I continue to telework?

You may continue to participate in the Telework Program if the new position is deemed to be an eligible position by the new supervisor. You must, however, complete a probationary period in the new position (if required), and a new Telework Agreement must be completed by you and your new supervisor.

Can my telework agreement be terminated, and what should I do if I disagree with the termination?

Your telework agreement can be terminated. In the event it is terminated, you may appeal this action to the OHR Telework Manager at telework@montgomerycountymd.gov . The review process of the termination can be found in Section V of the Telework Program Policies and Procedures .

Note: To fall concurrently with the start of a new pay period, 10 work days are required to notify employees of the change to the telework schedule and agreement. 

 

Technology-Related Matters


For technology-related questions regarding Skype, OneDrive, SharePoint, VPN and similar matters, whom should I call?

Contact the Department of Technology Services’ IT Helpdesk at 240-777-2828, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Note that DTS can facilitate departmental IT clinics specially designed for teleworkers. If interested, ask your supervisor to contact the IT Helpdesk to request an IT clinic for your department, and DTS will tailor the information presented to your department’s teleworkers.

What are the system requirements for using a VPN?

For details, review the VPN FAQs document.

If I experience a technology-related issue at home that prevents me from teleworking (such as being unable to access VPN, email, etc.), what should I do?

Contact the Department of Technology Services’ IT Helpdesk at 240-777-2828 (available Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for assistance, and be sure to keep your supervisor and coworkers informed. If the issue cannot be resolved timely, you will need to return to your main work location or utilize your own annual leave or compensatory time.


Inclement Weather


If the County declares a Liberal Leave status for government operations (e.g., during inclement weather such as a snowstorm), what is the procedure for Telework Program participants?
  • Non-essential employees in the Telework Program who are scheduled to telework that day are expected to work at their remote work location.
  • Non-essential employees in the Telework Program who are not scheduled to telework that day are encouraged to telework with the approval of their supervisor. 
Note: If non-essential employees in the Telework Program choose to not work remotely during the Liberal Leave period, they must notify their supervisor of their leave status in accordance with their department’s liberal leave policy.

Important: All essential employees are expected to report for duty (onsite or telework, as appropriate) during a Liberal Leave period.


Payslip Information


How do I record my telework days in MCtime?

Review the applicable MCtime Job Aid:  
Scheduling Issues


What if my supervisor requires me to attend a meeting or training on a day when I am scheduled to telework?

Your supervisor must provide you with at least 24 hours’ notice of all onsite meetings and trainings. At the concurrence of your supervisor, you may switch your telework day that week and choose another day to work from your remote work location.

I was asked to work onsite for my regularly scheduled telework day; am I allowed to switch telework days during the same week?

OHR encourages flexibility. If operationally possible and your supervisor approves the change, you can switch telework days to adhere to your agreed upon number of telework days.

If my telework day falls on a holiday, can I choose another day that week to telework? 

Yes, with approval from your supervisor.

I would like to telework more than what is being offered to me; what should I do?

All departments have been given the ability to limit or extend the amount of hours/days that are acceptable and operationally efficient for their needs. If interested, you should discuss this matter with your supervisor to see if it is operationally feasible to increase the number of days you telework


Communication Tips


How do I keep a clear line of communication open with my supervisor and coworkers on my telework days?

  • Set daily work completion goals for yourself; at the end of your telework day, provide an update to your supervisor regarding that day’s work accomplishments.
  • Mark your calendar in Outlook as “Working Elsewhere” to notify coworkers that you are teleworking.
  • Ensure your coworkers know that you are available during your telework day via phone, email, text and/or other means of communication (such as Skype).
 
 
 

The Telework Program officially begins August 6, 2017

Forms

Important: To complete the fillable forms above, be sure to download them to your computer—they are not "fillable" until you do so.

Tra ining and Test Information

To participate (or supervise teleworkers) in the Telework Program, you must take the applicable training and test described below. If you prefer to in-person training, please contact the County Telework Manager at telework@montgomerycountymd.gov  to schedule a session. 

Narrarated PowerPoint Telework Training: 
Testing for Supervisors/Managers/POCs/HR Liaisons: You must complete the Telework Training for Managers Skills Assessment. To access the test, follow the steps below. 

Testing for Employees: Before beginning to telework, you must complete the  Telework Training for Participants Skills Assessment. To access the test, follow the steps below. 
 
  1. Log in to  AccessMCG Single Sign On .
  2. Click Employee Self-Service.
  3. Click Go to Employee Self -Service.
  4. Click Learner Home.
  5. At the top left of the screen, find the Search bar.
  6. If not already selected, choose Class in the drop-down menu (next to Search). 
  7. In the blank search field, type  telework and click Go.
  8. From the list, select the applicable training ( Telework Training for Managers Skills Assessment or Telework Training for Participants Skills Assessment).
  9. Click Enroll.
  10. Click Apply.
  11. Return to your Learner Home page; you will find the assessment under Enrollments.
  12. Click Play, and then follow the system instructions.

 

The Telework Program officially begins August 6, 2017

Resources – Technical Support


Resources – Timekeeping Support


Resources – HR and Other General Support

Have additional telework questions? First, contact your department's Telework Point of Contact (POC):
If you need further assistance, these additional resources are available:
 
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