Telework Program Initiative: Effectively Reshaping the Employee Work Experience

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rockdale County’s leadership recognized the need for a more permanent change to reflect how the County and its employees operate in today’s evolving workplace. In an effort to enhance the employee work experience, as well as increase the efficiency and productivity of which they perform services, Talent Management (HR) established an employee Telework Program and the governing policy was approved by the Board of Commissioners. The Telework Program initiative allows eligible employees to work from home or a designated alternate workspace to produce an agreed upon work product or service. At Rockdale County, teleworking is not an employee entitlement, but a voluntary agreement between leadership and an employee -based primarily on the business needs of the County. In addition to the formal agreement and policy acknowledgment, an employee’s program approval is contingent upon HR receiving a submission request by their Department Head, a performance/disciplinary review with Employee Relations, and successful completion of the Telework training plan utilizing our learning management system. Implementing this initiative has successfully resulted in a better work-life balance for employees, while substantially increasing their efficiency and productivity -proving to be a mutual benefit to both employees and the County.