SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Expand the use of telework (Flexiplace) to save money on office space and energy.

Supervisors often discourage employees off-the-record -- usually through an unofficial verbal disapproval so there's no record of them not supporting a cost-saving program -- from exercising the option to participate in the telework program. Some forward-thinking organizations are supportive and the program works well. Managers in other organizations, however, have the mentality that they need to see their people to... more »

Teleworking saves energy, reduces the need for office space, and improves morale.

Within our agency, we utilize a work program called Flexiplace or working remotely from home. There are many benefits to this program that can cut costs for the government and the employee.
1. Cost associated with office/building - Fewer people in the office results in lower utility bills on electricity, gas, heating/AC, and water and sanitation removal/disposal. Lower office bills: fewer items to keep in stock, less... more »

Telecommuting needs to be treated as business-as-usual practice, not just a "priviledge" or allowed only for exceptional cases. There are certain times of the year where my team is mainly sitting in their offices reviewing documents, not holding meetings that require us to be onsite. All of my team members have a commute of at least 45 minutes to an hour, so telecommuting even for a couple of days a week would be substantial... more »

The EPA Goodwill Ambassador Program (GAP) is a proposed pilot program designed to allow those EPA employees interested in traveling to areas at or near other EPA offices the opportunity to work partial days or weeks as a visiting staff member (“Ambassador”).

The idea for this program came from my long-standing belief that in order to establish better communications between EPA Regions and Headquarters as well as to... more »

The Dept of Defense had developmed new software called Lightweight Portable Security (LIPOSE) that allows for secure use of VPN. The software is free from their website. This might be the answer to the security problems that prevent some SSA employees from being able to work at home.