                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

SECRETARY TO ESTABLISH TELECOMMUTING POLICY; DUTIES (§ 2.2-203.1)

A. The Secretary shall establish a comprehensive statewide telecommuting and
alternative work schedule policy under which eligible employees of state
agencies, as determined by state agencies, may telecommute or participate in
alternative work schedules, and the Secretary shall periodically update such
policy as necessary.

B. The telecommuting and alternative work schedule policy described in
subsection A shall include, but not be limited to, model guidelines, rules and
procedures for telecommuting and participation in alternative work schedules,
and identification of the broad categories of positions determined to be
ineligible to participate in telecommuting and the justification for such a
determination. Such policy may also include an incentive program, to be
established and administered by the Department of Human Resource Management,
that may encourage state employees to telecommute or participate in alternative
work schedules and that may encourage the state agencies&#8217; management
personnel to promote telecommuting and alternative work schedules for eligible
employees.

C. The Secretary shall have the following duties related to promoting the
telecommuting and alternative work schedule:

   1. Promote and encourage use of telework alternatives for public and private
   employees, including but not limited to appropriate policy and legislative
   initiatives. Upon request, the Secretary may advise and assist private-sector
   employers in the Commonwealth in planning, developing, and administering
   programs, projects, plans, policies, and other activities for telecommuting by
   private-sector employees and in developing incentives provided by the private
   sector to encourage private sector employers in the Commonwealth to utilize
   employee telecommuting.

   2. Advise and assist state agencies and, upon request of the localities,
   advise and assist localities in planning, developing, and administering
   programs, projects, plans, policies, and other activities to promote
   telecommuting by employees of state agencies or localities.

   3. Coordinate activities regarding telework with, and regularly report to, a
   panel consisting of the Secretaries of Commerce and Trade, Finance, and
   Transportation. The Secretary of Administration shall serve as chair of the
   panel. Additional members may be designated by the Governor. Staff support for
   the panel shall be provided by the offices of the Secretaries of
   Administration and Transportation, and the Governor shall designate additional
   agencies to provide staff support as necessary.

   4. Report annually to the General Assembly on telework participation levels
   and trends of both private and public-sector employees in the Commonwealth.

HISTORY: 2001, c. 405, § 2.1-51.31:1; 2004, cc. 701, 755; 2005, c. 421; 2009,
c. 86; 2020, c. 738.