The Telework Exchange says participation in its recent "telework week" shows the practice is catching on and that organizations are getting better at it and getting more out of it.
The promotional event had an 80 percent increase in participation over 2011, with 67,000 federal employees signing up (8,000 from GSA). Based on the number of pledges, the Telework Exchange says the event altogether cut over six million commuting miles, 3,453 tons of emissions, and over $5.5 million in commuting costs.
It estimates that each pledge could save about $4,000 in commuting costs by teleworking two days a week for a year. It also claims participating organizations improved productivity in telework compared to 2011, and it said the number of organizations encountering technical problems fell from one in three in 2011 to one in five in 2012.
The organization’s sponsors include companies that sell equipment suitable for use in teleworking.