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Evaluation of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Telework Program

Report Information

Date Issued
Report Number
OIG-NRC-25-E-01
Report Type
Inspection / Evaluation
Description
The Office of the Inspector General identified several issues with the use and oversight of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s telework program, including missing telework agreements and inaccurate telework records, both of which are required by law for proper program administration.  Additionally, we found inadequate compliance with documentation standards, which could result in inconsistent adherence to policies and inaccuracies in employee records. Finally, we identified discrepancies in some official duty stations and failure to comply with telework agreement terms, potentially resulting in incorrect locality pay.This report makes seven recommendations to strengthen the telework program’s document management and oversight processes to ensure full compliance with federal laws and regulations.
Joint Report
No
Agency Wide
Yes (agency-wide)
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0
View report on Oversight.gov

Recommendations

The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations implement a tracking system to monitor telework agreements nearing expiration, ensuring that necessary updates, such as changes to official duty stations, are made promptly and in accordance with established procedures.

Agency Response Dated January 26, 2026: TADA electronically monitors remote and special circumstances telework agreements nearing expiration. This allows employees and supervisors to make any necessary updates promptly in accordance with established procedures. OCIO implemented a notification feature in TADA to tag telework agreements that are nearing their expiration. The notification is sent to the supervisor at the 30-day and 10-day periods before the agreement expiration. The feature automatically alerts the employee’s supervisor, prompting them to initiate and approve the renewal of the telework agreement. This enhancement helps to ensure continuous compliance and avoid lapses in telework authorizations. The OCHCO recommends that this recommendation be closed. <br />
OIG Analysis: The notification feature in TADA will monitor telework agreements nearing expiration and help to prevent lapses in telework authorizations. This recommendation is now closed.<br />
<br />
Agency Response Dated June 10, 2025: OCHCO concurs with the recommendation. TADA<br />
electronically monitors remote and special circumstances telework agreements nearing expiration. This allows employees and supervisors to make any necessary updates promptly in accordance with established procedures. Specifically, the Office of the Chief Information Officer<br />
(OCIO) will implement a notification feature in TADA to tag telework agreements that are nearing their expiration dates. This feature will automatically alert the employee’s supervisor, prompting them to initiate and approve the renewal of the telework agreement in a timely manner. This enhancement will help ensure continuous compliance and avoid any lapses in telework authorizations. <br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG will close the recommendation once the notification feature to avoid any lapses in telework authorizations is implemented in TADA. This recommendation remains open<br />
and resolved.

The OIG recommends that the Executive Director for Operations develop procedures to mitigate the risk of inaccurate locality pay resulting from employees not reporting to their official duty station as required by the terms of their telework agreements.

Agency Response Dated January 26, 2026: Following our June 10, 2025, response (ML25139A597), advising that OCHCO would develop procedures to validate duty stations in FPPS, the OCHCO explored options and now understands there is no mechanism, at OCHCO’s disposal, to monitor whether employees report to their duty stations. However, supervisors remain responsible for ensuring employees adhere to the terms of their telework agreements,<br />
including reporting to their official duty station. Each office is responsible for initiating change of duty station actions in FPPS, for routing to OCHCO. HR Specialists continue to ensure duty station information is correct in FPPS. The<br />
OCHCO recommends that this recommendation be closed.<br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG determined that supervisory oversight provides an appropriate mechanism to ensure employees report to their official duty stations. Each office’s responsibility for updating duty station changes and reviewing the data accuracy addresses the intent of the recommendation. This recommendation is now closed.<br />
<br />
Agency Response Dated June 10, 2025: OCHCO concurs with the recommendation. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring employees adhere to the terms of their telework agreements, including reporting to their official duty station. OCHCO will develop specific procedures to validate duty stations in FPPS and provide controls for supervisors to mitigate the risk of inaccurate<br />
locality pay and ensure compliance with the requirements set forth in the employee’s telework agreement. The procedures will align with the quarterly reviews outlined in response to<br />
Recommendation 1.2.<br />
OIG Analysis: The OIG will close the recommendation once OCHCO develops specific procedures to validate duty stations in FPPS and provide controls to ensure compliance with the requirements in the employee’s telework agreement. This recommendation remains open and resolved.