Editorial: Prepare for the worst

Federal managers who have been reluctant to let employees telecommute may be running out of options.

Under a proposed amendment to the Commerce Department's fiscal 2005 spending bill, agencies that do not offer employees a telecommuting option as required by a 2001 law could lose up to $5 million from their budgets as a penalty. Other legislation could be in store if agencies fail to increase the number of teleworkers.

Federal officials have toyed with the idea of boosting opportunities for telework for years. Interest was heightened during the Internet boom because so many corporations offered it as a perk