Table of Contents

1. Guiding Principles
2. Questions and Answers Regarding Work and Family Life Authority and Responsibility
3. Alternative Work Schedules (AWS)
4. Leave Options
5. Part-time Employment/Job Sharing
6. Flexiplace
7. Dependent Care
8. Appendix A—Glossary
9. Appendix B—Flexiplace Project
10. Appendix C—Sample Employee/Supervisor Checklist
11. Appendix D—USDA Work and Family Life Report on Focus Group Interviews

Questions and Answers Regarding Work and Family Life Authority and Responsibility

1. What authorities govern flexible work arrangements?

The General Services Administration (GSA) has statutory authority to provide guidance, assistance and oversight to Federal agencies for the development of child care centers to promote the provision of economical and effective child care for Federal workers. (Public Law 100-202) Office of Personnel Management Memorandum, "Alternative Workplace Arrangements," dated October 21, 1993, provides authority for flexiplace.

Chapter 34, Title 5 United States Code (U.S.C.), provides authority for part-time employment.

Chapter 61, Title 5 U.S.C., provides authority for flexible work schedules.

Chapter 63, Title 5 U.S.C., provides authority for attendance and leave.

Chapter 79, Title 5 U.S.C., provides authority for employee assistance programs.

2. What are USDA's responsibilities?

Human Resources Management in Departmental Management will:

• Provide Department-wide policy guidance to agencies regarding flexible work arrangements;
• Establish and maintain a clearinghouse to disseminate general information regarding flexible work arrangements;
• Gather and publish information on the effectiveness of the USDA program; and
• Provide feedback and suggestions with Governmentwide applicability to the President's Management Council.

3. What are management's responsibilities?

Mission Areas and Agency Heads are responsible for:

• Ensuring that the program supports USDA's mission, goals, and objectives;
• Helping to identify appropriate flexible work arrangements in cooperation with their employees;
• Ensuring equity and consistency in the use of flexible work arrangements;
• Ensuring dissemination of information to employees about flexible work arrangements;
• Considering use of flexible work arrangements during emergencies;
• Allocating resources as needed;
• Encouraging flexibility at the first-line supervisory level consistent with the mission of USDA;
• Ensuring recognition for managers and supervisors who provide opportunities for employees to use flexible work arrangements and maintain an effective unit;
• Publicizing success stories and providing program evaluation;
• Obtaining input from unions and employee organizations;
• Providing feedback on ways to improve the USDA program; and
• Providing guidance, information, and training for managers, supervisors, and employees.

4. What are supervisors'/managers' responsibilities?

Supervisors and Managers are responsible for:

• Ensuring that the program supports USDA's mission, goals, and objectives;
• Remaining current on all programs offered in USDA;
• Ensuring equity and consistency in the use of flexible work arrangements;
• Obtaining input from employees, partnership councils, and labor organizations;
• Ensuring dissemination to employees about flexible work arrangements;
• Promoting use of flexible work arrangements;
• Seeking guidance from and forwarding suggestions to Work and Family Life (WFL) Coordinators;
• Publicizing success stories and providing program evaluation;
• Considering use of flexible work arrangements during emergencies; and
• Providing feedback on ways to improve the USDA program.

5. What are agency WFL Coordinators' responsibilities?

WFL Coordinators are responsible for:

• Ensuring the WFL Program objectives are disseminated throughout the organization;
• Providing technical support, guidance, and training to employees, supervisors, and managers;
• Obtaining policy guidance from Departmental Management's Human Resources Management regarding flexible work arrangements; and
• Working with management to evaluate program effectiveness.

6. What are employees' responsibilities?

Employees are responsible for:

• Helping to identify appropriate flexible work arrangements in cooperation with their supervisors;
• Working with their supervisors and co-workers to meet USDA's mission while using flexible work arrangements;
• Contacting WFL Coordinators to obtain information regarding the USDA program;
• Informing their supervisors when a conflict occurs or may occur; and
• Providing feedback on ways to improve the USDA program.