Workwhistle

Calgary Herald - AB, Canada
By Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary HeraldMay 22, 2009 3:03 AM

Myth: If I can't see my employees in the office, then they aren't really working.

Truth: Data consistently show that an employee who teleworks two days per week is 15 to 40 per cent more productive than their office counterparts.

With that reality check, the federal government announced Thursday it was contributing up to $800,000 under Transport Canada's ecoMOBILITY program for a new telework initiative developed by Calgary Economic Development in partnership with the City of Calgary and the Calgary Regional Partnership.

"WORKshift--Think Out-side the Office" will develop a plan that supports telework programs throughout the Calgary region by raising public awareness of the benefits of teleworking and providing businesses with specific guidance and support in planning, designing and implementing telework programs.

"WORKshift will give Calgary businesses the necessary tools, support, research and best practices to successfully design telework solutions for their organizations," said Bruce Graham, president and CEO of Calgary Economic Development. "Through the WORKshift initiative, we will continue to foster Calgary's reputation of innovation, global competitiveness and sustainability."

Aundrea Sebjanic of the City of Calgary's human resources department said the city conducted a pilot project on telework in 2007 from May to September. After that, senior managers were approached with the idea and shown the need to introduce another flexible work option for city workers.

The permanent program was launched in March.

"It's proving to be successful. We have an uptake in employee satisfaction," said Sebjanic, who works every Monday from home

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/calgary/Work+from+home+program+secures+federal+funds/1619413/story.html