Workplace flexibilities lead to economic efficiencies, including cost savings on real estate, infrastructure and energy usage, and improve how agencies deliver citizen services. Teleworking and other flexibilities also can help improve employee performance, job satisfaction and work-life balance, and decrease the costs of commuting by getting employees off the road on scheduled days of the week or by allowing for nontraditional hours that can result in shorter commutes. On a broader societal basis, telework creates an opportunity to relieve traffic congestion and reduce auto emissions that pollute the environment.

Given the importance and benefits of work flexibilities, the Partnership for Public Service and Booz Allen Hamilton examined work arrangements that are being used in the federal government, whether there are impediments to adopting these workplace practices, and how they can be expanded and made more effective.