Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 6, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

State employee telework and flex time to reduce traffic congestion and set example for business, Locke says

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke has directed state agencies to dramatically increase the use of teleworking and flexible work hours to set a statewide example to reduce traffic congestion and increase the quality of life for Washington citizens.

"Studies demonstrate that working from home via telephone and computer and concentrating work hours has significant benefits for workers as well as employers," Locke said.

"Those benefits include less sick leave, reduced hiring and training costs, increased employee productivity and less need for parking space," the governor said.

Employee morale also improves, he noted.

"Just as importantly, these tools reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, particularly at rush hour, reduce air pollution and save energy," he added.

The governor yesterday signed an executive order that establishes the telework and flexible work hours program for state agencies. The state Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation and Washington State Telework Coalition site such programs for their cost-efficient contribution to traffic congestion relief.

"I hope county and city governments as well as large and small businesses will follow the lead being set by state agencies in promoting teleworking and flexible work schedules for their employees. The public and private sectors working together can make a significant reduction in the number of vehicles clogging our state's highways," Locke said.

The executive order directs agencies to:

Adopt written polices defining criteria and procedures for telework and flexible work hours

Consider employee requests to participate in the program in relation to the agencies' operating, business and customer needs

Adopt a goal to increase the number of employees teleworking from 4.5 percent to 9 percent by 2006

Adopt a goal to increase the number of employees using flex schedules from 23 percent to 35 percent by 2006
The governor also ordered the agencies to make periodic reports showing the number of employees teleworking and compressing their work weeks.

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