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Go Green Virginia ... local governments creating a sustainable future
Time has come for teleworking for results. recognize that work units
are “teams” and look for cross-training
as staggering $100 fill-ups loom opportunities to provide in-office back-
up for teleworkers, but also coverage
for planned vacations and
By Diane O’GraDy
unexpected illnesses.
W
ith gas prices at record for equipment and software 5. Provide training
highs, driving to work every- and to define remote-access and support. get the word
day is becoming more and procedures for teleworkers. out about how the program
more expensive, and for some employ- Often desktop computers are works, ensuring a good home
ees, a genuine hardship. replaced with laptops as part of work environment, helping an
soaring gas prices, however, are the standard replacement cycle employee approach his/her
only one reason to launch a telework in order to facilitate telework- supervisor, getting enrolled,
program in your organization. Less ing. Behind the scenes, IT Diane O’Grady and getting started. announce
traffic, less pollution and happier should review current practices for the program through your intranet,
employees are just a few of the other data security, backup and virus protec- employee manual, newsletter and
reasons to get your management on tion. they should also be visible from executive memo. some employees will
board. happier employees translate the start in offering training on equip- be eager to get started; many others
into increased employee productivity ment and on-going support through will have questions and wait to learn
and decreased absenteeism. and the help-desk. from the experience of their co-work-
should a natural or manmade disaster 3. Develop your telework ers. two common myths surrounding
disrupt normal operations, telework policies and a formal telework telework are that every employee will
can ensure the continuity of your op- agreement. the policies should want to telework, and most teleworkers
erations. Who wouldn’t want to take describe who can participate and the will want to work from home every
advantage of these benefits? So how overall work guidelines. the agree- day. Neither is true. You will find
do you get a program started or kicked ment spells out “ground rules” of the that telework is not a fit for everyone,
into high gear? Below are some tips program and the specifics of the work and most teleworkers have a schedule
from Loudoun county, with an award arrangement between an employee with days in the office and days at
winning telework program. and his/her supervisor, including how home. provide a training session for
1. Set a goal for employee frequently the employee will telework, both teleworkers and their supervi-
participation. the VML green tasks to be completed on telework sors to address equipment and tools,
government challenge goal is 20 days, and the vehicle miles saved by but also underscore the importance
percent participation by 2010. it’s not driving to work. telework can be of pre-planning, communication,
achievable if your top executive is working from home as little as one full performance, teamwork and trust in
committed. Determine your first year day per month. Often employees and making this work arrangement work
goal, say 10 percent, and broadcast it. supervisors will start with a telework well for everyone.
employees will see a serious com- arrangement that is a couple days a in Loudoun county, a broad base
mitment to implement and endorse month or once a week for a several of support for telework developed in
telework from top management. it months, and then assess whether it’s the two years since the program was
helps with the “hallway talk” in the possible for the employee to telework launched. supervisors report a 20-plus
early days, when many folks may more frequently. percent increase in productivity among
be skeptical. Front-line supervisors 4. Talk with each depart- teleworkers and teleworkers report
need assurances that this isn’t a pilot ment. Highlight the benefits and feeling less stressed and appreciative
program, knowing they will get top help supervisors to identify suitable that the county cares about their
level support, and in fact, executives employees and tasks. Look at the well-being. in doing so, Loudoun
are expecting them to supervise work, the worker and the work unit to county is contributing to a healthier,
teleworkers. assist supervisors in recognizing situ- more livable and economically strong
2. Engage your IT Depart- ations where dependable workers can community.
ment. ideally, the teleworker’s loca- easily and effectively do some of their another good resource for infor-
tion should be viewed as an extension work at home. Often workers have mation and support about starting a
of the office. Many organizations tasks that require quiet and concentra- telework program, can be found at
choose to invest in Virtual private tion such as writing, data analysis, telework!Va (www.teleworkva.org).
Network (VpN) software to enable research, developing Web content,
employees to access all their work contacting clients by telephone or About the author
files and systems through the Internet computer programming, which are Diane O’Grady is a senior management
in a secure environment. Your it ideally suited for teleworking. these analyst in the Office of the County Adminis-
department needs to specify standards are also tasks supervisors can manage trator in Loudoun.
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