Telework has been touted as a winning strategy for government. A study by the Telework Research Network claims potential savings for the federal gov ernment of nearly $3.8 billion as a result of reduced real estate costs, electricity savings, reduced absenteeism, and reduced employee turnover.

The recent passage of the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 substantially changes the status of telework throughout government. Instead of each agency developing its own telework policies and procedures, the legislation sets forth a government-wide framework which both endorses and encour ages the use of telework throughout the government. Case studies were developed of telework practices and experience at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).