Currently 105 staff participate. The program limits telecommuting to one or two days a week on a pre-approved schedule. Telephones are forwarded to the home work site so that the physical location of the work site is transparent to the customer. Flexibility is a key component of the program, and scheduled telecommuting days may vary occasionally, depending on office coverage, meetings, special tasks, etc. Telecommuters can reschedule their telecommuting days if they have a meeting or assignment that requires them to be at the official work site on the day they normally telecommute.
Employees pick up and return their work once a week.
Productivity standards have been developed in a labor management forum and provide the basis for evaluating staff performance. Reduced turnover and absenteeism and increased productivity and morale are some of the benefits that have accrued from the programs. Both programs have been in place for several years and have been lauded by both staff and supervisors. It is important that agency executive staff fully understand how telecommuting can be used as another management tool to improve agency operations. Telecommuting does not work for all job functions or for all employees.