An overview

Technology is changing our world and workplace. The introduction of smaller and faster computers, the Internet and electronic mail have made it possible for employees to work away from the traditional office setting. Today's changing values are motivating employees to seek employment with fleXibility in choosing hours and work places. Those values also include environmental concerns about air pollution, fuel costs, and congested roads. To answer the needs of the workforce, over the last three decades, many private and public organizations have implemented telecommuting or telework as a management option. In January 2002, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) Telecommuting Program was implemented to better meet the needs of its ' customers through maximized workspace, increased employee productivity, and focus on management by results. Based on the successful pilot, a three-year implementation plan phased in telecommuting for approximately 900 potentially eligible employees in 13 locations throughout the state. ThiS paper is a description of the SCDHHS telecommuting program and includes an analysis of the program's first eighteen months of implementation. Although the program is still evolving, there have been some direct and indirect measurable indications of success for the telecommuting program. Some of these success indicators are delineated in this paper