Virginia’s Innovative Telework Program Receives National Recognition

 

Courtney Ware             

804-225-3746                    

Courtney.Ware@drpt.virginia.gov                                                                                 

 

 

RICHMOND, Va., June 2, 2009 – Today, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s (DRPT) Telework!VA Program was honored with the 2009 Telework Exchange Tele-Vision Award for excellence in a State Government Telework Program at the fourth annual national awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Jennifer Alcott, Telework!VA Program Manager, was also honored as the 2009 Telework Driver for State Government.

 

"As we continue to attract economic and development opportunities here in the Commonwealth, we also need solutions to help manage congestion and safeguard quality of life for our citizens," said Governor Timothy M. Kaine. "The Telework!VA Program is exactly the kind of initiative--along with improved transportation and land use, better transit, and expanded rail service--that will keep Virginia moving forward while maintaining our reputation as a great place to live and work."

 

Telework is a work arrangement where managers/supervisors permit employees to perform their usual job duties away from their central workplace. Telework can take place at an alternate work location, such as a telework center, or at an employee’s home.

 

Virginia is a national leader in telework activity. Nationally eight percent of commuters telework, while 12 percent of commuters statewide and 20.7 percent of commuters in Northern Virginia in telework.

 

The Telework Exchange Tele-Vision Awards recognize excellence in government telework programs and their accomplishments in various categories including excellence in leadership, use of innovation and technology, best new initiative, state and local telework program, and individual state and federal telework drivers.  

 

The Telework!VA program was established by DRPT in 2001, in an effort to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and facilitate better transportation through technology. The program provides telework training and financial incentives for Virginia businesses to establish or expand telework programs for their employees.

 

To date, 146 businesses and non-profit organizations in Virginia have been served by the Telework!VA Program, and an estimated 5.6 million vehicle miles traveled are reduced each year through the program.

 

For more information on Telework!VA, visit www.teleworkva.org.

 

 

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