What is it? Teleworking (also known as telecommuting) is substituting information technology and telecommunications for work-related travel. Employees who telework do so from home or somewhere close to home one or more days per week.

According to the Metropolitan Washington's Council of Governments, laptops, cell phones and other advanced technologies have fueled over a 25% increase in telework since 1998. In 2001, 15% (400,000) of the region's workforce was teleworking.

Telework has recorded tremendous benefits for employers and employees through formal and informal telework programs. Telework has the potential to significantly reduce congestion in our region and is a
feasible solution for many employers and employees. The implementation process and procedure of a telework program varies between jurisdictions, so we have assembled the telework information in light of this fact in hopes that it is most beneficial to you and your company.

Take a look around and stay a while. Together, we can make this Mission Possible.

Benefits

Employer Benefits

• An International Telework Association and Council (ITAC) survey found that employers can save 63% of the cost of absenteeism, or $2,068 per employee per year due to reduced absenteeism. This will also help to reduce sick leave and late arrivals.
• A recent independent cost-benefit analysis indicated that an emplower's potential annual benefits for a part-time teleworker can be as high as $14,388. This figure is based upon a worker teleworking 1.5 days per week.
• Strengthen employee recruitment and retention.
• Increased employee productivity (an average of 22%higher according to ITAC.
• Increased employee satisfaction.
• Reduced overhead costs for office space and parking.
• Expanded geographic access to skilled workers.
• Enhanced public recognition as an innovative business and as a good corporate citizen.

Employee Benefits

• A commuter who drives 40 minutes to work each day spends as much time in her car as she would working an eight-hour day for eight-weeks.
• ITAC reported that productivity rose 15% among home-based teleworkers, while telework-center based employees reported a 30%improvement.
• Employees love teleworking. In focus groups held with teleworkers, it is not uncommon to hear of employees that save 3-4 hours per day as a result of telecommuting. When asked what they do with hours that they gain back per day, employees report that they 'spend time with their families, cook meals, exercise, take classes, and live a better life.
• Reduced stress associated with long, congested commutes.
• Improved productivity resulting from fewer interruptions and distractions.
• Enhanced time management and opportunity for flexible work schedules.
• Improved balance between work and family life, boosting employee satisfaction.
• Savings of over $1,200 per year in gas and maintenance for the average teleworker.
• Normal commute: 77 minutes
  Telecommute: 1 minute (5 minutes with the sports section)

Federal Employees

Where do you start? There's a lot of information out there - we've pared it down to what is relevant to you. The following information provides specifics on formal telework programs in our area. However, an informal telework setup between an employer and employee may be just as beneficial without all the paperwork.

• The U.S. Office of Personnel Management and Federal Interagency Telework / Telecommuting Site describe current telework efforts underway within the Federal Government.
• The U.S. General Services Administration provides technical support, consultation and research on telework. Search through a network of interagency telework centers and find one in your community!
• To develop or expand a formal telework program, a good place to begin is telework!va. Telework!va is a public-private telework incentive program providing up to $35,000 per company to start or expand formal telework programs. The site includes telework guidelines, applications, advertising materials and hosts of other items to make starting a telework program easy. This program is open only to Northern Virginia residents and gives priority to Northern Virginia companies.
• The Mid-Atlantic Telecommuting Advisory Council provides regional telework and virtual officing information. Members consist of individuals, businesses, representatives from local, state and federal government agencies, and representatives of non-profit organizations. The web site offers email addresses, sign-up forms and information to help you connect with telework champions.

In Maryland

Where do you start? There's a lot of information out there - we've pared it down to what is relevant to you. The following information provides specifics on formal telework programs in our area. However, an informal telework setup between an employer and employee may be just as beneficial without all the paperwork.

• To develop or expand a formal telework program, a good place to begin is the Telework Partnership for Employees sponsored by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). This partnership from MDOT provides free professional telework consulting services to help employers develop a telework program or simply improve the one in place.
• A good place to begin for State Agencies is Information about the State of Maryland Teleworking Policy developed by the Department of Budget and Management. They have developed three user-friendly manuals:
  
  • Supervisor's Teleworking Manual
  • Agency Teleworking Implementation Manual
  • Teleworker's Manual
  
  Each manual identifies terminology specific to teleworking, clarifies the role of the teleworker and supervisor, covers topics like equipment and supplies, workspace, expenses, liabilities for injuries while teleworking and discipline. The site also includes a list of telework sites in Maryland (including maps). Even if you are not a State Agency but new to telework, this is a great place to learn the basics. Some sample forms include:
  
  • Agency Telework Agreement
  • Remote Workplace Self Certification Checklist
  • Suggestions for Setting Up a Home Office
  • Teleworker Work Schedule
  • Teleworker Work Plan
    
• Sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington's Council of Governments, Commuter Connections provides a host of information for alternative commuting options in the Maryland / Washington D.C. area including information on area telework centers, free telework seminars and even a Telework Demonstration Project if your not quite sure what a telework setup looks like.
• For a map of telework centers located throughout our region, check out Washington Metropolitan Telework Centers.
• Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, another program available to provide free consulting services and resources to companies who sign up and implement telework programs is eCommute. ECommute is a pilot program, authorized by Congress, which aims to measure the effectiveness of reducing vehicle trips and mobile emissions through teleworking.
• The Telework Consortium offers generic guidelines for managers of all organizations in the process of launching telework initiatives. This site includes sample telework policies, procedures, forms and checklists.
• The Mid-Atlantic Telecommuting Advisory Council provides regional telework and virtual officing information. Members consist of individuals, businesses, representatives from local, state and federal government agencies, and representatives of non-profit organizations. The web site offers email addresses, sign-up forms and information to help you connect with telework champions.
• Still unsure if telework could work for you? Check out an employee help-guide, prepared by the Metropolitan Washington's Council of Governments, and see for yourself.

In Virginia

Where do you start? There's a lot of information out there - we've pared it down to what is relevant to you. The following information provides specifics on formal telework programs in our area. However, an informal telework setup between an employer and employee may be just as beneficial without all the paperwork.

• To develop or expand a formal telework program, a good place to begin is telework!va. telework!va is a public-private telework incentive program providing up to $35,000 per company to start of expand formal telework programs. The site includes telework guidelines, applications, advertising materials and host of other items to make starting a telework program easy. This program is open only to Northern Virginia residents and gives priority to Northern Virginia companies.
• Sponsored by the Metropolitan Washington's Council of Governments, Commuter Connections provides a host of information for alternative commuting options in Northern Virginia including information on area telework centers, free telework seminars and even a Telework Demonstration Project if you're not quite sure what a telework setup looks like.
• For a map of telework centers located throughout our region, check out Washington Metropolitan Telework Centers, GMU Telework & Training Center, the Manassas Telecommuting Center or the Georgetown Business Center.
• Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, another program available to provide free consulting services and resources to companies who sign up and implement telework programs is eCommute. ECommute is a pilot program, authorized by Congress, which aims to measure the effectiveness of reducing vehicle trips and mobile emissions through teleworking.
• The Telework Consortium offers generic guidelines for managers of all organizations in the process of launching telework initiatives. This site includes sample telework policies, procedures, forms and checklists.
• The Mid-Atlantic Telecommuting Advisory Council provides regional telework and virtual officing information. Members consist of individuals, businesses, representatives from local, state and federal government agencies, and representatives of non-profit organizations. The web site offers email addresses, sign-up forms and information to help you connect with telework champions.