Pilot Telework Program

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Chesterfield County piloted a telework program with its Information Technology department employees in 2008. This pilot program included the development of a telework training module, telework guidelines, a security and privacy agreement, and a home safety check sheet. Seventeen percent of the IT department’s employees participated in the program by working from home one to two days per week. These employees were surveyed seven months after implementation of the pilot program and the survey results showed a high level of satisfaction by teleworking employees. The telework program also resulted in benefits to the county and community. Teleworking supports the county’s Continuity of Operation plan, which is designed to keep critical operations functioning during a crisis or disaster. More employees are now prepared to work from alternative worksites as the need arises. The program also shows the county’s commitment to one of its strategic goals, “to be responsible protectors of the environment,” as less cars are traveling to and from work each day. Because local governments provide direct services to citizens, many jobs are not suited for teleworking, however some classifications are ideal for telework. The pilot program allowed the county to test the telework program in a controlled environment. Due to the success of the pilot program, Chesterfield County has recently developed countywide telework guidelines.