A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s action yesterday in expanding the state’s telework policy to the 120 employees working in the Governor’s office and cabinet is no more than a single step. But it pushes the Commonwealth of Virginia along on a very important journey.
“Rising fuel prices, the escalating cost of commuting to work, worsening traffic congestion and reduced air quality compel a change in the business culture of state agencies,” Kaine said in a press release. “Telework reduces energy consumption, both in the amount of gasoline used for daily commuting and in office building energy costs. This policy provides a timely opportunity to create a culture of conservation within the state workforce, which can serve as an example for Virginia businesses in the private sector.”
Well, technically, Kaine’s announcement wasn’t the first step. But the governor’s announcement serves as a prod to the private sector to make similar accommodations.
According to the press release, more than four dozen employees of the Cabinet and Governor’s Office had already started teleworking or utilizing alternative schedules for part of their work week. Nearly 23,000 state employees have been ascertained to be eligible for telework, based on the nature of their work — and 5,000 are actually engaged in it. The Department of Taxation alone has 591 teleworking employees.
Another 24,000 state employees are eligible to work alternate schedules such as 10-hour, four-day work weeks — and 14,000 do.
Meanwhile, Kaine is asking state agencies to work with their employees to encourage use of alternate transportation. A recent survey indicated 16,218 of Virginia’s approximately 95,000 state employees use some form of alternate transportation – public transportation, van pools, car pools, even bicycles – to commute to work.
These are all positive developments. Kaine should be commended, and the Commonwealth should serve as an inspiration to others who have yet to embrace the possibilities created by laptops, cell phones, PDAs and the like.