Sent spinning up into the air by freak weather, the house comes down on the Wicked Witch of the East. Looking in on the passage of the new Telework Improvements Act on the Hill, it occurred to me that the Wizard of Oz is really about telework. Far from home, Dorothy travels down the long yellow brick road to meet the wizard, just to ask to go back home. Have to say, skipping on a yellow brick road is probably faster than your trip to the office these days - the average Fed commutes more than 50 miles roundtrip.

With the House passing Telework Improvements Act of 2010 - HR.1722 - Congress has really squashed the life out of mean, spiteful Federal managers, who for years have cast their wicked spells on telework.

Second time proved to be the charm for the "no-place-like-home" legislation. HR.1722 passed 290-131 on July 14. More support this time - 22 more votes to be exact. So what does it mean for Feds? Is this real change or just empty rhetoric from the "all-powerful wizard?" What do agencies need to do to make a difference?

First, Feds need to get telework courage - dare to embrace telework and expand existing programs. Second, agencies need to get a telework brain - set benchmarks, monitor performance, and guarantee that eligible employees can telework. Third, Feds need to get a telework heart - provide training for confused and recalcitrant managers as well as appoint a telework-managing officer to manage the operations.

Last, but by no means least, HR.1722 requires all agencies to integrate telework into continuity of operations programs. So, for the chance that freak weather hits your agency - remember the D.C. snowpocalypse - you'll know you can always go home. Agencies will be required to implement more robust programs and report progress.

But, we're not in Kansas yet. HR.1722 is not law today. The next step is to reconcile the House legislation with its counterpart, the Senate telework bill (S.707). The House and Senate will host a pow wow to resolve the differences between the two bills. The idea is, let's get this through - the sooner, the better. The administration recently directed agencies to "reduce your real estate" and "get your employees off the road" - so there's pressure coming at agencies from all angles.

If you listen closely, 1.2 million telework-eligible Feds are smiling, clicking their heels, and muttering there's no place like home. Want to get involved in the telework dialogue? Attend the Fall Telework Exchange Town Hall Meeting on October 7th. Ruby slippers optional...