Telework

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) supports teleworking as an effective way to recruit and retain excellent employees, honor professionalism, increase flexibility, improve employee productivity, reduce the amount of time employees spend commuting to and from work, ease traffic congestion, reduce the environmental impact of car emissions, conserve office space and promote a healthy balance between home and work.

Teleworking is a flexible work location agreement available to MCPS employees when a mutually beneficial situation exists and when there is an agreement between the employee and the appropriate supervisor and chief that it is most appropriate for the situation and circumstances.

Teleworking is not universally available to all job classes or positions and must be approved in advance by the appropriate supervisor and chief. Telework is not an option that an employee can demand or has a right to expect.

Employees approved to participate in the MCPS telework program are subject to the same Board of Education policies and MCPS regulations, procedures, and practices, (hereafter referred to as MCPS rules), regardless of their work location. The employee’s work hours, compensation, benefits, work status, and work responsibilities will not change due to their participation in the telework program.

Considering Telework

When employees and supervisors are considering telework, the following factors should be considered:

 

 

1. The position has tasks that are portable and can be performed from a location other than the primary work location.
2. Responsiveness and transparency to the public will not be affected by telework.
3. Data security can be maintained.
4. Service to internal and external stakeholders will be maintained at the level as when working from the primary work location.
5. Operational requirements will be met.

 

Review and Approval Process

The telework request, review and approval process:

 

 

1. Employees who wish to be considered for telework must submit a request to their supervisor using the approved telework request form.
2. The appropriate supervisor reviews the request and recommends approval or denial of the request. The requests that are recommended for denial must include a written rationale for the recommendation.
3. The telework request form with the supervisor’s recommendation is reviewed by the appropriate chief and the request is approved or denied. The requests that are denied must include a written rationale for the decision.
4. The employee receives the completed and signed telework request form as notification of the decision regarding their request.