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Employer Teleworking workshop set for Jan. 26 Mary Paramore
According to the workshop’s sponsor, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), businesses that offer teleworking as an option enjoy productivity increases of up to 20 percent. Workers tend to be a happier, while potential employees tend to rate the business as more progressive than its competition. Russ Ulrich, a transportation planner with BMC’s clean air and telework outreach programs, said, “Studies conducted since teleworking started evolving – it goes back about 30 years – show productivity increases as much as 20 percent. We think that’s a tremendous incentive for employers to consider.” Ulrich said teleworking, from his organization’s viewpoint, is working one to two days per week from home. He noted, “It’s not for everybody. Generally, folks who telework are more motivated.” The BMC is an organization of the Baltimore region’s elected executives. Sitting on the council are county executives from Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. The group focuses on improving the quality of life and economic vitality of the Baltimore region. “Our biggest concern is transportation planning for the region. The Maryland Department of Transportation has partnered with the BMC to promote teleworking to ease traffic congestion in the region and to improve air quality,” Ulrich said. “People think air quality is just a problem for cities, but that’s not quite true. With prevailing winds and the geography that traps air, some of the area’s highest negative air quality readings are in Harford County.” Ulrich added, “We think it’s important for teleworking to be explored in Harford County, with thousands of jobs coming with BRAC and the infrastructure not quite there yet to accommodate these folks.” The free workshop is offered in conjunction with Harford County Government’s RideShare program and includes a Continental breakfast and networking, a PowerPoint presentation and time to answer questions. Pat Fielder, RideShare coordinator, will discuss the philosophy behind teleworking, potential pitfalls, the benefits of a structured approach and how to get help to establish a company telework program. Participants will be encouraged to utilize the BMC Web site, www.teleworkbaltimore.com, where registered users can access sample telework policy statements, employer/employee agreements and other documents important to launching a successful telework program. Registration with the site is free, and Ulrich noted user information is not used for any purpose outside teleworking initiatives. To register for the seminar, contact Fielder at 410-638-3069 or email her at pwfielder@harfordcountymd.gov. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council was chartered in 1992 as the successor to the Regional Planning Council and the Baltimore Regional Council of Governments. With about 40 employees, activities of the BMC are financed by public funds, private grants and what Ulrich refers to as “entrepreneurial functions.” He said, “We are responsible for base maps of the region, which 911 calls respond to, as well as other mapping.” |
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Employers interested in increasing worker productivity and boosting their company’s street cred should give serious consideration to teleworking. A free workshop to help employers explore the option is scheduled for the