A new name: Teleworking

A law firm, corrections department and manufacturing company are among 13 Atlanta employers to take part in a unique telework initiative that offered free consulting services and even reimbursed employers for certain funds spent getting their telework programs off the ground.

This is wonderful. I'm so glad to see more and more of this happening. Way to go Hotlanta!! I can't stress how wonderful this is for America's workers. Thank you Bill Gates!!

Among the program findings:

Teleworking improves morale . Almost 90% of teleworkers reported improved morale because of teleworking, and 80% of managers agreed that staff morale was up as a result of teleworking. More than 65% of teleworkers said they're less likely to look for another job as long as they can telework, and more than 45% of managers said that teleworking gives the employer a competitive edge.
Productivity doesn't suffer. More than 80% of workers reported no problems completing their work while teleworking, and 74% reported an increase in their productivity. On the managers' side, 85% reported that productivity increased (by an average of about 20%) or stayed the same. In addition, 91% of managers said that work quality was not hurt by teleworking, and 52% of managers said supervising teleworkers took no more time than supervising non-teleworkers.
Technology is key . Participating companies invested or improved their computer technology, remote access and telephone systems. Companies with good remote access options found it easy to telecommute more often, according to Clean Air Campaign.
Execution matters . Among the lessons participating companies learned is that telework training for employees and managers makes a difference, as does selecting the right employees for teleworking and having solid management approval. Formalizing existing programs lets organizations increase participation, the group says.
Perhaps the most telling finding is that all 13 participants plan to continue and expand their telework programs. Each manager, on average, plans to allow four more employees to telework. At current levels, these teleworkers will reduce more than 10 million vehicle miles from metropolitan Atlanta roads each year, Clean Air Campaign estimates.

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