OPM’s Chief Pushes for Telework Flexibilities for the Cyber Workforce

Last week, during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Acting Director Rob Schriver made a strong case for the continuation of remote work policies, specifically for federal cybersecurity staff. Responding to concerns predominantly from Republican lawmakers about federal telework policies, Schriver highlighted the critical role remote work plays in recruiting and retaining a skilled cybersecurity workforce.

Schriver argued that mandating cybersecurity professionals to work in-office five days a week could hinder the federal government’s ability to attract the necessary talent. He emphasized that it is crucial for agencies to ensure that current telework arrangements contribute to effective performance. This discussion occurs amidst legislative movements affecting federal telework policies, including a bill introduced by Senators Mitt Romney and Joe Manchin requiring federal workers to spend 60% of their time in the office. Additionally, Senators Gary Peters and Joni Ernst proposed legislation last month to enhance the collection of telework data and to improve monitoring of its impact on performance metrics.

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