Expanding on the concept of telework in the IC: a response to Gioe, Hatfield & Stout

Abstract

ABSTRACT David Gioe, Joseph Hatfield, and Mark Stout make a strong case for expanding the use of telework in the IC for intelligence analysts (‘Can United States intelligence community analysts telework?’ Intelligence and National Security, 25 May 2020). We have reached similar conclusions at the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences (LAS) and believe that our experience both supports and expands upon the authors’ arguments. In our view, intelligence analysts and other IC work roles can perform certain functions of their work productively outside of secure facilities, provided that they have gained prior training and experience in applying IC classification rules within the context of their everyday work. A final consideration, not to be overlooked, is the importance of enabling IC staff to work collaboratively as teams from home on meaningful tasks whose outcomes can be transferred to classified settings.