Travis County's Remote Work Initiative

About the Program

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

Year: 2023

When the COVID pandemic hit March of 2020, several thousand Travis County employees scrambled to grab laptops and clear out of their offices. Millions of employees did the same thing across the US. Out of necessity and fear of the unknown, workers across the planet were commencing the largest experiment in human history in remote work, or telecommuting. Seizing the moment, Travis County voted May of 2020 to create a plan for 75% of eligible employees to telecommute on a permanent basis. In just 2 months, they had seen the many benefits of the pandemic-induced work-from-home program. Travis County’s notorious traffic congestion problems were eliminated overnight; CAPCOG documented an improvement in air quality; management measured improved productivity and employee morale; constituent services were maintained, greenhouse gas emissions from employee commutes dropped, building utility costs went down and employees were getting an effective raise by not having to buy gas each week. The Travis County plan is believed to be the most ambitious telecommuting program of any local government in the US. Not only did Travis County show resilience through the difficulties of the pandemic, but the workforce thrived in the face of adversity and developed a new, effective virtual workplace that remains productive, safe and attractive to qualified job applicants.