Telework
Demonstration Project
Interim Report
Introduction
In 1997, the Commuter Connections Telework
Resource Center initiated a year-long Telework Demonstration Project with
eight organizations in the Washington metropolitan region to develop local
telework case studies. This project is part of a regional alternative commute
program adopted by the National
Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) to help improve the
region's air quality by reducing single-occupant vehicle commuting.
For the purposes of this project, telework is defined as "the use of
information technology to reduce work-related travel" and includes working
from home, a telework center, or satellite office. Under the scope of the
project, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) provided
professional consulting services to help selected sites start or expand a
structured telework programs in exchange for using the sites as local case study
examples. The selected sites included public, private, and non-profit
organizations in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern
Virginia. The size of the participating sites ranged from 75 to nearly 10,000
employees.
More than 100 teleworkers participated in this
project. Most of the teleworkers lived in the Washington metropolitan region;
however, several either lived in other parts of the country at the outset of the
project or moved to other parts of the country, while continuing to work for
their employer, during the course of this project. One site's teleworkers work
at home on a full-time basis. Another site's employees have been teleworking for
up to four years.
To document the effects of this project, COG conducted pre- and
post-implementation surveys with the sites' teleworkers and their managers (telemanagers),
co-workers, and clients. The sites also submitted detailed monthly cost/benefit
worksheets. And, COG conducted five facilitated discussion groups with the
sites' telework coordinators to document their progress in implementing their
programs and allow for the exchange of information between sites.
This document provides excerpts from the initial project report and includes a
description of how the project was implemented, a description of each of the
participating sites, post-implementation survey results for two of the eight
sites, and pre-implementation survey results for the other six sites.
Post-survey implementation results for these six sites will be available in
late-1998 or early-1999.
Project Background
and Implementation
In January 1997, the Telework Resource Center conducted six focus groups with
key decision makers from public, private, and non-profit organizations in the
Washington metropolitan region. The purpose of the focus groups was to determine
employer awareness of and interest in telework, identify telework barriers and
solutions, and determine the best methods for promoting telework in the region.
One of the main findings was that employers
expressed a strong need for reliable, objective information on the effects of
telework on organizations similar to their own. Participants also viewed COG as
a logical source for developing and conveying this type of information to
employers. These findings were the basis for the Telework Demonstration Project
initiated in 1997.
Under the terms of the project, COG provided professional consulting services to
help selected organizations start or expand a telework program in exchange for
being able to use the sites as local case study examples. Selected sites were
responsible for designating a telework coordinator to oversee the project,
participating in periodic focus groups, and distributing and collecting surveys;
forming an internal telework team to develop and implement the program; and
providing COG with financial information to assess each site's program.
The project was broken down into two phases, a Development Phase and an
Implementation Phase. The Development Phase included an initial assessment of
the sites by the telework consultants and submission of site-specific budgets
for the completion of all project tasks. After each site's budget was approved
by COG, then the consultants were given a written notice to proceed. The
consultants then worked with the sites to develop or modify written telework
policies and agreements, select teleworkers, and train teleworkers and
telemanagers.
The Implementation Phase reflected the period when employees actually began
teleworking. The telework consultants conducted focus groups with teleworkers
and managers 30 to 45 days after initial implementation to identify and resolve
any problems encountered. COG's objective was for each site to have a minimum
six-month implementation period.
Concurrent with the Development and
Implementation Phases, COG conducted a pre- and post-implementation surveys and
held a series of facilitated discussion group session with the sites' telework
coordinators. The pre- and post-implementation surveys were designed to provide
detailed information on teleworkers' characteristics and attitudes of
teleworkers, telemanagers, and co-workers before and after teleworking.
Pre-implementation surveys were completed by new teleworkers before they began
teleworking, usually at the beginning of the each site's training session.
Telemanagers and co-workers were also surveyed during the same time frame. COG's
measurement and analysis consultant prepared pre-implementation survey reports
for each site, and a comprehensive pre-implementation survey report using
combined data from six of the eight sites.
Post-implementation surveys were completed six months after each site's program
began. A comprehensive post-implementation survey report based upon data from
six of the eight sites will be available in late-1998 or early-1999.
Cost-benefit reports, based upon monthly worksheets submitted by telework
coordinators, will also be available later in 1998 or in early-1999.
Two sites, Unisys Federal and Unisys Outsourcing, had existing teleworkers but
did not have any new teleworkers entering the program at the time the
pre-implementation surveys were conducted. A modified survey incorporating pre-
and post-implementation survey questions was used for these two sites. The
consultant prepared a report for each site based on survey results.
COG also used a consultant to conduct four focus groups with the sites' telework
coordinators. The focus groups provided COG with information on how each site's
program was progressing and they allowed the telework coordinators to share
information with one another.
The budget for the Telework Demonstration Project was $428,250; actual expenses
were $358,730. The budgeted cost of telework consulting services ranged from
$14,400 to $70,300 per site. Actual costs averaged $32,000 per site. An
additional $37,700 has been set aside for measurement and analysis work to be
completed in Fiscal Year 1999.
None of the sites opted to use the telework centers; however, Southern
Management Corporation utilized one of its own facilities to enable several of
their teleworkers to work at a location closer to their homes. These employees
needed specialized software that was available at the alternative work location,
but would have been too expensive to acquire for use in their home offices.
Project funding was provided through the Telework Resource Center's Fiscal Year
1997 and 1998 budgets. Fifty-eight of the center's total annual funding comes
from Federal sources with a 14% match provided by the District of Columbia and
Virginia, and an additional 28% in state funds provided by Maryland.
Telework Demonstration Sites
Following is a description of each of the participating sites and their
respective telework programs.
The Acacia Group
(Acacia), located in Bethesda,
Maryland, is a diversified financial services organization which provides
financial planning advice for investment management, insurance, and banking.
Thirty-five of Acacia's 250 employees participated in the project: 17
teleworkers, 11 managers, and seven co-workers.
- Acacia's participation in the project is
consistent with their philosophy of evaluating new ideas. Acacia lost
valuable employees when they relocated from the District of Columbia to
suburban Maryland in 1997. Acacia hopes that the implementation of a
telework program will prevent further loss of employees who have long
commutes.
- One of Acacia's main concerns regarding the
project is making sure that teleworkers do not suffer any adverse effects or
hardships. There is also some concern regarding the ability of the company's
technology infrastructure to support the program.
- Prior to participating in the Telework
Demonstration Project, Acacia had implemented a formal telework program for
employees in the Information Management Systems Department.
BDM International, Inc.
(BDM) located in McLean, Virginia,
is a Fortune 1000 multinational information technology company that provides
systems, services, and solutions to both public sector and commercial customers.
BDM has 9,000 employees and operates in more than 110 locations worldwide.
Seventy-nine BDM employees participated in the program: 27 teleworkers, 13
telemanagers, and 39 co-workers.
Most of BDM's teleworkers live in the
Washington metropolitan region; however, three live in the western United States
(Colorado, Utah, and Idaho). BDM's teleworkers include programmers, analysts,
engineers, technical writers, human resource employees (administrative), and
software code testers.
- BDM implemented its telework program in
order to create a work environment that attracts, motivates, and retains
employees, and because the project supports their commitment to the
community. Teleworking is consistent with BDM's corporate philosophy of
providing a flexible work place to maximize employee potential.
- BDM also anticipates future cost reductions
resulting from telework. BDM plans to implement a hoteling program--the use
of office space on a shared basis by an organization's employees--to reduce
their office space needs when their corporate office relocates from McLean
to Reston, Virginia.
- One of BDM's main concerns is that managers
are not accustomed to "managing by results" while not being able
to "see" employees. BDM also expressed concerns about complying
with Federal time-keeping requirement and the potential effects on Federal
contracts. Maintaining customer service is also a priority for BDM.
- Prior to participating in the Telework
Demonstration Project, some BDM employees teleworked informally; however,
the organization did not have a formal program in place.
The Marasco Newton
Group Limited (Marasco Newton),
located in Arlington, Virginia, is a consulting firm with 260 employees in four
locations, including 220 employees at it Arlington headquarters location.
Marasco Newton provides management, information technology, and environmental
systems consulting to the Federal Government. Twenty of Marasco Newton's 210
employees in Arlington participated in the program: five teleworkers, 10
telemanagers, and five co-workers. Marasco Newton's teleworkers include computer
programmers, policy analysts, and writers.
- Marasco Newton is participating in the
project in order to retain employees, reduce required work space, and
enhance flexibility. Concerns include assessing the effects of telework on
client and internal management perceptions, equipment costs, the number of
hours needed to support teleworking, and the level of risk regarding
worker's compensation.
- Prior to participating in this project, five
Marasco Newton employees teleworked; however, the site did not have a formal
telework program.
The Maryland
Department of Transportation (MDOT)
conducted a successful telework program for headquarter's employees between
October 1996 and March 1997. While MDOT was trying to expand its telework
program, a bill introduced into the Maryland General Assembly mandated telework
training at the agency. These initiatives coincided with the initiation of COG's
Telework Demonstration Project; hence MDOT officials submitted an application to
become a demonstration site. Sixty-seven MDOT employees are participating in the
program: 24 teleworkers, 25 managers, and 18 co-workers.
Southern Management Corporation (SMC)
owns and manages 64 residential apartment communities. SMC has 75 employees at
their headquarters in Vienna, Virginia. SMC also has employees located at
property locations and a satellite office in suburban Maryland. One of SMC's
primary reasons for participating in the Telework Demonstration Project was to
minimize the hardship on employees due to a relocation. Twenty-one SMC employees
participated in the program: 10 teleworkers, five telemanagers, and 6
co-workers.
Unisys Corporation,
Federal Systems Division (Unisys Federal)
is a Federal information management and services contractor located in McLean,
Virginia. Unisys Federal representatives estimated that 100 to 150 of their 700
employees telework on an ad hoc basis. The telework coordinator and team had
hoped to select 40-50 additional teleworkers to participate in the Telework
Demonstration Project; however, they were unable to get management approval to
do so.
- A modified
pre-implementation/post-implementation survey was conducted with the
existing teleworkers, telemanagers, and co-workers in May 1998. Fifteen
surveys were completed by seven teleworkers, three telemanagers, and five
co-workers.
Unisys Outsourcing (Outsourcing),
located in Reston, Virginia, provides technical, business process, and
operations outsourcing services worldwide. Outsourcing has service centers
located throughout the country with a total U.S. employee population of 900.
Outsourcing implemented a company-wide telework program in January 1997--prior
to the start of the Telework Demonstration Project--to reduce costs, attract and
retain employees with high demand information technology skills, and increase
employee productivity by reducing travel.
- Outsourcing became involved in the Telework
Demonstration Project to evaluate its existing telework program. Even though
Outsourcing's program was well underway at the time the Telework
Demonstration Project began, the site was selected to participate in the
program to document the unique aspects of full-time teleworking and related
cost savings.
- Outsourcing's teleworkers, telemanagers, and
co-workers completed a modified pre-implementation/post-implementation
survey in May 1998. Surveys were completed by 22 of the site's 115
teleworkers. Ten managers and seven co-workers also completed surveys.
United Planning
Organization (UPO) is a community
action and human services non-profit organization located in the District of
Columbia and has 280 employees. UPO hopes that teleworking will result in
increased motivation and attendance, improved morale, and reduced costs.
Additionally, UPO hopes that teleworking will reduce commute-related problems
for employees due to a move to new office space within the District of Columbia
during the course of the demonstration project. Twenty-two UPO employees
participated in the project: eight teleworkers, four telemanagers, and 10
co-workers.
Pre-Implementation Survey
Results for Six of the Eight Sites
Pre-implementations surveys were conducted at
six of the eight sites (Acacia, BDM, Marasco Newton, MDOT, SMC, and UPO) prior
to the beginning of the Implementation Phase when employees actually began
teleworking. A total of 287 pre-implementation surveys were distributed to
teleworkers, telemanagers, and co-workers at the six sites listed below and 244
were returned for an overall response rate of 85%. Survey respondents for each
site are shown in the table below.
Telework Demonstration Project
Survey Respondents
| Site |
No.
Teleworkers |
No.
Telemanagers |
No.
Co-workers |
Total |
| Acacia |
17 |
11 |
7 |
35 |
| BDM |
27 |
13 |
39 |
79 |
| Marasco Newton |
5 |
10(1) |
5 |
20 |
| MDOT |
24 |
25 |
18 |
67 |
| SMC |
10 |
5 |
6 |
21 |
| UPO |
8 |
4 |
10 |
22 |
| Total |
91 |
68 |
85 |
244 |
1. This
is a matrixed organization and some employees have multiple managers; hence, the
larger number of telemanagers than teleworkers.
The results of the pre-implementation surveys provide interesting insights on
the teleworkers' characteristics. Following is a summary of the key findings:
- 72% are between the ages of 35 and 54.
- 57% had a pre-tax household income of at
least $55,000 in 1996.
- 92% live within the Washington metropolitan
region (53% live in Maryland, 33% live in Virginia, and 6% live in the
District of Columbia).
- 7% live outside the region (4% live in
Pennsylvania and 3% live in the western United States); 1% did not provide
information on where they live.
- Average tenure with their employer is 9
years, average tenure with their current supervisor is 3 years, and average
time in their current position is 4 years.
- 40% report taking no sick days within the
past six months, 47% report taking between one and four six days, and 11%
report taking at least five six days in the past six months.
- Average commuting distance is 27 miles.
Average commuting time to work is 46 minutes and average commuting time home
is 51 minutes.
- 77% report that, before teleworking, they
commute by driving alone; 5% carpool/vanpool; 5% take rail; and 2% walk.
(None reported commuting by bus or biking.)
- The Average Vehicle Occupancy (AVO) after
teleworking is expected to increase from 1.19 to 1.60. (This AVO is based on
the teleworking population only.)
Teleworkers anticipate working at home from one
to five days per week. The three most frequently reported types of work they
expect to do are: 1) writing/typing/editing; 2) reading; and
3) word processing.
Teleworkers, telemanagers, and co-workers were also asked a series of
attitudinal questions to measure the anticipated impact of teleworking on a
productivity, morale, social/psychological issues, management issues, and
co-worker issues. Respondents were asked to indicate their position on numerous
statements about teleworking. Not all statements were presented to all
respondents. Of thirty-three total statements, 12 were asked of teleworkers,
telemanagers, and co-workers; eleven applied to teleworkers and telemanagers
only; and two applied to teleworkers and co-workers only. Two questions were
presented to teleworkers only, four to telemanagers only, and three to
co-workers only. Generally, all three respondent groups reacted positively
towards teleworking prior to participating in the project. Following is a
summary of the key findings:
Teleworker Productivity
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers were generally
positive regarding the impact of teleworking. They agreed that productivity
will improve, that more work will be completed, that work will be completed
on time, and that they will work more hours.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers believe job
productivity will improve as a result of teleworking, but they were neutral
regarding whether teleworkers will work fewer hours, whether some
teleworkers will work less, and whether teleworkers will complete more work.
They did not believe that teleworking will negatively impact quality of work
or timeliness.
- Co-workers--The co-workers thought that the
teleworkers' productivity and work quality will improve and that work will
be completed on time, but they were neutral on whether teleworkers will work
fewer hours, whether some teleworkers will work less, and whether
teleworkers will complete more work.
Morale and Motivation
- Teleworkers--Teleworkers agreed that their
morale will improve, that they will be more motivated to work, and that they
will have greater flexibility in their work and family life. Teleworkers
were somewhat neutral on whether they will have greater work autonomy.
- Telemanagers--Telemanagers thought that
teleworkers' morale will improve, that teleworkers will be more motivated to
work, and that teleworkers will have greater flexibility regarding their
work and personal lives, but they were somewhat neutral regarding
teleworkers having greater work autonomy as a result of teleworking.
Social/Psychological Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers did not think
that they will be more stressed, feel lonely, or lose a sense of belonging
to the firm. They were neutral regarding sharing an office as a condition of
teleworking.
- Telemanagers--The managers also did not
think that teleworkers will be more stressed. They were somewhat neutral on
whether teleworkers will lose a sense of belonging to the firm.
Supervisory Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers thought their
managers have a positive attitude towards teleworking, and did not foresee
communications with others as being a problem. They were neutral regarding
their supervisor's expectations and somewhat neutral regarding their
relations with managers improving as a result of teleworking.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers also believe
that they have a positive attitude about teleworking. They were neutral on
several issues including the impact of teleworking on their relations with
staff, whether they will have higher expectations of staff, whether
communications will be a problem, and whether they will worry about work
being completed.
- Co-workers--The co-workers also believe that
telemanagers have a positive attitude regarding teleworking and they do not
think that communications with teleworkers will be a problem.
Co-worker Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers did not foresee
problems with non-teleworkers. They thought that non-teleworkers will
support teleworking.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers were neutral
on whether non-teleworkers will support teleworking, and on whether non-teleworkers
will have a problem with teleworkers.
- Co-workers--The co-workers were supportive
of teleworking. They were neutral on whether teleworking will change the way
they work and on whether they will experience more interruptions from
teleworkers.
Short-Term Management Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers agreed that
clients will notice an improved quality of work. They did not think group
meetings will be hard to convene.
- Telemanagers--The managers also tended to
agree that clients will notice an improved quality of work. They were
neutral on whether group meetings will be hard to convene. They were neutral
regarding their awareness of what staff does in the office and whether more
time will be needed to supervise teleworkers.
- Co-workers--The co-workers disagreed that
their work load will increase and that group meetings will be hard to
convene.
Long-Term Management Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers felt that
teleworking is good for the organization and that it will not interfere with
promotions. They thought clients will support teleworking. They were almost
neutral on teleworking's impact on employee relations.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers also felt
that teleworking is good for the organization an that it will not interfere
with promotions. They were almost neutral regarding clients' support of
teleworking. They were almost neutral on teleworking's impact on retaining
employees and on providing the firm with a competitive advantage.
- Co-workers--The co-workers agreed that
teleworking is good for the organization and they thought clients will
support teleworking.
Survey Results for
Unisys Federal and Unisys Outsourcing
Since neither of these sites had new
teleworkers participate in the Telework Demonstration Project, respondents (teleworkers,
telemanagers, and co-workers) completed one survey that incorporated
pre-implementation and post-implementation survey questions. Key findings from
each site's survey results are summarized below.
Unisys Federal
Fifteen surveys were completed by seven
teleworkers, three telemanagers, and five co-workers. Following are key findings
from these surveys:
- 86% of teleworkers are between the ages of
35 and 54; approximately 14% are between the ages of 25 and 34.
- 29% had a 1996 pre-tax household income of
over $75,000; another 29% had household incomes between $55,000 and $74,999;
and another 29% had household incomes of $35,000 to $54,999.
- 71% live in Virginia and 29% live in
Maryland.
- Average tenure with Unisys Federal is 11
years; average tenure with current supervisor is 4 years; and average length
of time in current position is 5 years.
- 51% report taking no sick leave in the
previous six months; 43% report taking between one and four sick days in the
previous six months.
- Average commuting distance is 26 miles.
Average commuting time to work is 46 minutes and average commuting time home
is 48 minutes.
- None of the teleworkers have moved their
residence since teleworking.
- One teleworker is planning to move farther
from work and the ability to telework was the most important factor.
- Unisys Federal employees have been
teleworking, on average, 18 months.
- Teleworking schedules vary from person to
person. All of the telemanagers stated they have teleworkers who work at
least four days per week.
- The most frequently reported work activity
while teleworking was writing/typing/editing. Four other activities were
ranked second: word processing, talking on the phone/sales,
administration/coordination, and reading. The third most frequently reported
activity was data management/computer programming.
- The percentage of teleworkers driving alone
to work decreased from 100% to 48%.
- AVO after teleworking increased from 1.00 to
1.88. (This is only representative of the teleworking population).
- Teleworkers gain an average of 110 minutes
on teleworking days by not commuting to and from work. The three most
frequently reported uses of this time are: 1) doing more work for their
employer; 2) spending more time with their family; and 3) sleeping.
- 143 daily vehicle miles were reduced after
accounting for: 1) commute trips that were actually reduced; 2) non-commute
trips that were eliminated; and 3) additional non-commute trips made by
teleworkers.
- Teleworkers work an average of 45 minutes
longer on telework days, usually by starting work at 8:15 a.m. rather than
9:00 a.m.
Following are the results of attitudinal
questions asked of teleworkers, telemanagers, and co-workers:
Productivity
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers were generally
positive about the impact of teleworking, agreeing that productivity
improved, that more work was completed, and that work was completed on time.
Teleworkers reported they worked more hours and that there were
significantly fewer distractions when teleworking.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers were neutral
regarding the impact of teleworking on productivity. They did agree,
however, that more work was completed, and was completed on time.
- Co-workers--The co-workers were generally
positive regarding most issues related to productivity. They indicated they
did tend to get more work done while others were teleworking.
Morale and Motivation
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers thought that
their morale improved and they were more motivated to work. They stated that
they had the same level of work autonomy, but much more flexibility in work
and personal life.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers thought that
morale improved, staff was more motivated to work, and teleworkers had
greater flexibility regarding their work and personal lives. Managers also
stated that teleworkers had the same level of autonomy when teleworking.
Social/Psychological Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers stated that
they experience less stress when teleworking. They were neutral about
sharing office space as a condition of teleworking. Teleworkers were also
neutral about feeling lonely while teleworking and about losing a sense of
belonging to the firm.
- Telemanagers--The managers stated that
teleworkers' stress level was the same. They were slightly concerned about
teleworkers losing a sense of belonging to the firm.
Supervisory Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers thought that
their managers had a very positive attitude towards teleworking, and
disagreed that there were problems communicating with others. They stated
that their manager's expectations were the same and their relations with
managers stayed the same as well.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers also believed
they had a positive attitude about teleworking, and disagreed there were
communications problems. They also believe there has been no impact on their
relations with staff and in terms of having higher expectations. They are
not worried about work getting done when staff is teleworking.
- Co-workers--The co-workers also believe
telemanagers had a positive attitude about teleworking. They disagreed that
communications with teleworkers was a problem.
Co-worker Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers did not
indicate problems with non-teleworkers. They thought non-teleworkers
supported teleworking.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers also believe
the non-teleworkers supported teleworking, and that non-teleworkers did not
have problems with teleworkers.
- Co-workers--The co-workers were supportive
of teleworking. They did not think that teleworking changed the way they
work or that there were more interruptions for non-teleworkers. They did not
think lack of interaction with co-workers was a problem.
Short-Term Management Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers reported that
clients noticed improved quality of work. They did not think that group
meetings were hard to convene.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers stated that
clients noticed the same quality of work. They did not indicate that group
meetings were hard to convene. They were neutral about their awareness of
what staff does in the office. Telemanagers stated the same amount of time
was needed to supervise teleworkers.
- Co-workers--The co-workers stated their work
load did not increase and disagreed that group meetings were hard to
convene.
Long-Term Management Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers felt
teleworking is good for the organization and disagreed that it interferes
with promotions. They thought clients supported teleworking. They agreed
that teleworking positively effected employee retention. Teleworkers are
very satisfied with teleworking.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers also felt
that teleworking is good for the organization, and disagreed that it
interferes with promotions. They also thought that clients supported
teleworking. They agreed that teleworking has a positive effect on employee
retention and strongly agreed that teleworking provides the firm with a
competitive advantage. Telemanagers were also satisfied with teleworking.
- Co-workers--The co-workers agreed that
teleworking is good for the organization, and stated clients highly
supported teleworking. Co-workers are satisfied with teleworking.
Unisys Outsourcing
Following are key findings from the surveys
completed by 22 teleworkers, 10 managers and, seven co-workers:
- 59% of the teleworkers are between the ages
of 35-54; approximately 23% are between the ages of 25-34.
- 68% had a pre-tax household income of over
$75,000 in 1996.
- 54% live in the Washington metropolitan
region (45% in Virginia and 9% in Maryland); 31% live outside the region
(14% in Pennsylvania, 9% in California, 4% in Montana, and 4% in Georgia);
14% did not provide information on where they live.
- Average tenure with Outsourcing is 8 years
and average tenure with current supervisor is one year; average time in
current position is 2 years.
- 59% report taking no sick days in the past
six months and 23 report taking one to four sick days in the past six
months.
- Average commuting distance is 17 miles.
Average commuting time to work is 34 minutes and average commuting time home
is 35 minutes.
- Five teleworkers have moved their residence
since they began teleworking. Two moved closer to work and three moved
farther from work (one relocated within the Washington metropolitan region,
one moved to Montana, and one moved to California). For three of the five
teleworkers who moved, the ability to telework was an important factor.
- One teleworker is planning to move closer to
work by relocating within the Washington metropolitan area and one is
planning to move farther away from work to Colorado.
- Outsourcing employees have been teleworking
for an average of 12 months.
- Employees telework from one to five days per
week; 80% of telemanagers reported that the teleworkers work at home at
least four days per week.
- The three most frequently reported work
activities while teleworking include: 1) talking on the phone/sales; 2)
administration/coordination; and 3) writing/typing/editing.
- The percent of teleworkers driving alone to
work decreased from 100% to 25%.
- AVO for teleworkers increased from 1.00 to
3.39.
- Teleworkers gained an average of 80 minutes
per day by not commuting to and from work. The three most frequently
reported uses of this time include: 1) doing more work for their employer;
2) spending more time with their family; and 3) doing household chores.
- 371 daily vehicle miles were reduced after
accounting for: 1) the commute trips that were reduced; 2) non-commute trips
that were eliminated; and 3) additional non-commute trips made.
- Teleworkers tend to work one hour longer on
telework days by stopping work at 6:30 p.m. instead of 5:30 p.m.
Productivity
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers were generally
positive regarding the impact of teleworking, agreeing that productivity
improved, that more work was completed, and that work was completed on time.
Teleworkers reported that they worked more hours and experienced
significantly fewer distractions.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers were also
positive regarding the impact of teleworking on productivity, the amount of
work that was completed, and the time frame in which work was completed.
- Coworkers--The coworkers were generally
positive about most issues related to productivity. They were neutral on how
teleworking impacted the work they did.
Morale and Motivation
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers reported that
their morale improved, they were more motivated to work, and that they had
greater work autonomy and flexibility in their work and personal life.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers thought that
teleworker's morale improved and that they were more motivated to work, that
teleworkers had greater flexibility regarding their work and personal lives,
and that teleworkers had greater work autonomy.
Social/Psychological Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers did not think
they were more stressed, felt lonely, or lost a sense of belonging to their
employer. They were neutral regarding office sharing as a condition of
teleworking.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers also did not
think that teleworkers were more stressed. They were neutral on teleworkers
losing a sense of belonging to the organization.
Supervisory Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers thought that
their managers had a very positive attitude towards teleworking and did not
indicate that there were problems communicating with others. They reported
that their manager's expectations were the same and that their relations
with managers remained the same.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers also believed
that they had a positive attitude regarding teleworking, and did not
indicate communications problems. They are also neutral regarding the impact
of teleworking on their relations with staff and in terms of having higher
expectations of teleworkers. They are not worried about the work getting
done when staff is teleworking.
- Co-workers--The co-workers also believe that
the managers had a positive attitude about teleworking. Co-workers did not
find communications with teleworkers to be a problem.
Co-worker Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers did not
indicate problems with non-teleworkers and reported that non-teleworkers
supported telewoking.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers were neutral
on whether non-teleworkers supported teleworking and on whether non-teleworkers
had problems with teleworkers.
- Co-workers--The co-workers were supportive
of teleworking. They did not think that teleworking changed the way they
work, or that there were more interruptions for them. They did not think
lack of interaction with teleworkers was a problem.
Short-Term Management Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers reported that
clients noticed the same quality of work. They did not think that group
meetings were hard to convene.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers also almost
agreed that clients noticed the same quality of work. They did not report
that group meetings were hard to convene. They were neutral regarding their
awareness of what staff did in the office, and on whether more time was
needed to supervise teleworkers.
- Co-workers--The co-workers were neutral on
whether their work load increased. They did not report that group meetings
were hard to convene.
Long-Term Management Issues
- Teleworkers--The teleworkers felt that
teleworking is good for the organization and were neutral on whether or not
it interfered with promotions. They thought clients supported teleworking.
They agreed that teleworking positively impacted employee retention and that
they are very satisfied with teleworking.
- Telemanagers--The telemanagers also felt
that teleworking is good for the organization. They disagreed that it
interfered with promotions. They were almost neutral regarding clients'
support of teleworking. They agreed that teleworking positively impacted
employee retention but they were neutral on whether teleworking provided the
firm with a competitive advantage. Telemanagers were also satisfied with
teleworking.
- Co-workers--The co-workers agreed that
teleworking is good for the organization, but they were neutral on whether
clients supported teleworking. Co-workers are satisfied with teleworking.
Conclusions
COG's Telework Demonstration Project has proven to be an effective method for
helping selected employers start or expand a structured telework program. This
project adds to the growing volume of research documenting the positive effects
of telework on reducing vehicle miles traveled, improving air quality by
reducing single-occupant vehicle commuting, and employer benefits (e.g.,
increased ability to attract and retain employees, increased productivity, and
reduced costs). Additionally, the project documents the effects of full-time
teleworking and long-distance teleworking.
The case studies developed from this project
will be useful to help other employers evaluate telework as a business strategy
and the general approach for this project may serve as a guide for other
metropolitan areas to use in developing regional telework programs.