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Telecommuting Up in the Valley
Kathy DeBoer
Over the past five years, WestGroup has conducted three studies on telecommuting with Phoenix-area employees on behalf of Valley Metro. The purpose of the surveys is to measure awareness and attitudes local employed residents have regarding telecommuting as a work option, as well as to examine the level of current participation and potential for telework in the future. Telecommuting is defined as doing work at home that normally would be done at an office during traditional work hours.
The most current wave of research, reported in January 2003, found the number of Valley workers telecommuting is increasing. Fifteen percent (15%) of employed Phoenix-area residents report they telecommute at least once a month, up from 12% in 2000 and 9% in 1999. An additional 1 8% if the population have "good potential" to telecommute on at least an occasion basis.
As quoted in the Phoenix Business Journal on January 3, "The percentage of telecommuters is trending upward," said Kathryn DeBoer, vice president of WestGroup. "Congestion in the Valley is pushing it, as well as employers looking for ways to save costs and reduce overhead." "We found the results to be very positive," said Randi Alcott, manager of transportation demand for Valley Metro. "With the economy and everything else, we're happy to see in the last two years that the percentage has increased that much. Alternate modes, such as carpooling, have been much more stable."
Of interest, three in five (60%) telecommuters said their productivity had either "slightly" or "significantly" increased when they began telecommuting. One-third of all residents surveyed said telecommuting is an important benefit they would seek out when looking for a new position.
WestGroup owners and employees are among those positive about the benefits of telecommuting. WestGroup is a strong supporter of telecommuting and participates in the Governor's Telework Partnership. We have many part and full time telecommuters among our management team. Telecommuting is quite effective and successful at WG because we have made it a priority. VP Peter Apostol has spear-headed our telecommuting movement and has worked with Valley Metro and other consultants to implement technology allowing secure and seamless connectivity. So next time you call a Project Director at WestGroup, you will have to ask if they are at their desk in a suit or at home in their PJs and bunny slippers…because there is no other way to know.
The full article covering our study can be found in the Research
You Can Use section. For further information, contact Kathy
DeBoer at 602-707-0050.
