Connecticut Embraces Practice of Telecommuting

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="064285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <B>The Telework Coalition</B></div> <div> <B>Enabling Virtual, Mobile, and Distributed Work through Education, Technology, and Legislation</B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="063d2c00dkelyh.png"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Telework Coalition"><U>Home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id296.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Membership Sponsorship Opportunities"><U>Membership & Sponsorship Opportunities</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id208.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Sponsors"><U>Our Sponsors</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id270.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TelCoa in the News"><U>"TelCoa in the News"</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U>Calendar</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id282.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TelCoa / ACP Event"><U>TelCoa / ACP Event</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id259.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Strategic Alliances"><U>Strategic Alliances</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id278.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Business Continuity Planning (COOP)"><U>Business Continuity Planning (COOP)</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id294.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Avian Flu and Pandemic Information and A"><U>Avian Flu and Pandemic Information and Articles</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id156.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Virtual Call Center Sponsors"><U>Virtual Call Center Sponsors</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id157.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Virtual Call Centers "><U>Virtual Call Centers </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors and Advisory Board"><U>Board of Directors and Advisory Board</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id158.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Telecommuter Tax Fairness Act "><U>The Telecommuter Tax Fairness Act </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id223.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="TelCoa Awards"><U>TelCoa Awards</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Vision and Mission"><U>Our Vision and Mission</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Telework in the News"><U>Telework in the News</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Federal, State, Regional News, Legislat"><U>Federal, State, & Regional News, Legislation, and Programs</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id263.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Telework Tools "><U>Telework Tools </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Telework Facts "><U>Telework Facts </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="You Should Know"><U>You Should Know</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Broadband"><U>Broadband</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Environmental Information and Fact Sheet"><U>Environmental Information and Fact Sheet</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Health, Safety Telework"><U>Health, Safety & Telework</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Telework Jobs and Opportunities"><U>Telework Jobs and Opportunities</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id337.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Other Jobs"><U>Other Jobs</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contributing Partners"><U>Contributing Partners</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Related Links "><U>Related Links </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reference"><U>Reference</U></A></div> <bR> <div>  </div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Connecticut Embraces Practice of Telecommuting</div> <bR> <div> <B>-- New Survey Reveals Number of Telecommuters Has Risen 86% in Connecticut --</B> </div> <bR> <div> <B>NEW HAVEN, CONN.</B> -- According to a recent <I>Telecommute Connecticut </I>survey, </div> <div> more than 158,000 Connecticut residents work from home at least one day a month - </div> <div> an 86 percent jump from just five years ago.</div> <bR> <div> "This is exciting news that supports the State's goals to help decrease traffic congestion, </div> <div> energy consumption and air pollution," said Jean T. Stimolo, program manager for </div> <div> <I>Telecommute Connecticut</I> - a Connecticut Department of Transportation program </div> <div> that provides employers with free assistance to design, develop and implement </div> <div> telecommuting programs.</div> <bR> <div> "We're thrilled with what we've learned from our most recent survey," said Stimolo. </div> <div> "The results confirm our belief that telecommuting is gaining traction throughout the </div> <div> state."</div> <bR> <div> The new findings demonstrate that telecommuting does in fact work. Ninety-five percent </div> <div> of the people surveyed are positive about their telecommuting experiences for various </div> <div> reasons, including work/life balance, enjoyment and not having to commute as the three </div> <div> leading benefits <I>(details on page 2)</I>. Employers state productivity gains (38.2%), reduced </div> <div> turnover (34.5%) and reduced traffic/congestion (25.5%) as top benefits*.</div> <bR> <div> "Working from home often means working smarter," said Governor M. Jodi Rell. "With the </div> <div> technology available to everyone today, telecommuting is increasingly a better choice for </div> <div> individuals and their employers. It means less cars on our highways and it eliminates the </div> <div> commuting portion of the workday while actually increasing productivity."</div> <bR> <div> "We're pleased with these numbers," said Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter of the </div> <div> Connecticut Department of Transportation. "Nearly 60,000 cars are off our roadways every </div> <div> day. The fewer cars on the roadways, the less traffic congestion. This leads to a host of </div> <div> benefits, including reduced pollution and energy consumption. The bottom line is the State, </div> <div> employers and employees all see benefits."</div> <bR> <div> "The survey gives a clear picture of the viability of telecommuting in Connecticut," said </div> <div> Stimolo. "<I>Telecommute Connecticut</I> looks forward to helping even more employers get </div> <div> the benefits of telecommuting and become an employer of choice."</div> <bR> <div> Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to call <I>Telecommute Connecticut</I> at </div> <div> 800.255.7433.</div> <bR> <div> <I>* Cited from the "Connecticut Business Industry Association 2006 Fairfield /Westchester </I></div> <div> <I>County Business Survey."</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>2007 SURVEY OF CONNECTICUT TELECOMMUTERS</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Working at home has increased substantially since 2001</U></B></I></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Based on total statewide employment, it is estimated there are more than 158,000                                                                                 telecommuters in Connecticut, compared to an estimated 85,260 in December 2001.                                                                                       This equates to an 86% increase. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Nine percent of working Connecticut residents telecommute on a regular basis. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">One out of three Connecticut residents work from home at least occasionally. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Telecommuting Works</U></B></I></div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">For Employers:</B> According to the Connecticut Business Industry Association "(CBIA)                                                                                     2006 Fairfield/Westchester County Business Survey," <B>productivity gains</B> (38.2%),                                                                                    <B>reduced turnover</B> (34.5%) and <B>reduced traffic/congestion</B> (25.5%) account for                                                                                                    top benefits stated by employers. </div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">For Employees: Telecommuters are positive about working at home.</B>                                                                                                     Ninety-five percent of Connecticut telecommuters' have positive feelings about                                                                                             working from home. The top three comments: </div> <div> 50% "Helps me manage both home and personal activities." </div> <div> 46% "I really enjoy working at home." </div> <div> 45% "Not having to commute is one of the best things about working from home." </div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">For Connecticut: Every telecommuter makes a difference.</B> </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It is estimated on an average day, telecommuting currently eliminates nearly 60,000                                                                                  automobiles from Connecticut roadways.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Based on the number of Connecticut telecommuters, distance from their worksites                                                                                            and the number of reported telecommuting days, the estimated reduction in vehicle                                                                                                 miles traveled is nearly 45 million each month. This equates to: </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">An estimated reduction of nearly 540 million vehicle miles traveled each year. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">An estimated 28.6 million gallons of gas saved each year. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">An estimated 81,000 tons of air pollution reduced every year. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Frequency of telecommuting is up</U></B></I> </div> <div> <B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Employees who telecommute spend an average of 9.7 days per month at home;                                                                                    an increase of 10% since 2001.</B> </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">An estimated 53% of all telecommuters work at home four or fewer days each month.                                                                                         On average, they spend 17% of their total work hours at home. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">An estimated 47% of all telecommuters work at home five or more days each month.                                                                                          On average, they spend 57% of their total work hours at home. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>A continuing trend</U></B></I> </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Just over half of all telecommuters in the state have been working at home for two years                                                                                        or more; demonstrating the fact that telecommuting is proving successful for this group. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Nearly one of four telecommuters (23%) began telecommuting within the past six months. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Telecommuters have longer-than-average commutes</U></B></I> </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">On average, telecommuters live 18 miles from their work - approximately five miles further                                                                               than employees who commute to a worksite fulltime. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">On average, telecommuters' work trips take nearly 40% longer than the average commuter. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Telecommuters save a tremendous amount of money</U></B></I></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">It's estimated that all of Connecticut telecommuters combined reduce commuting costs by                                                                                     an average of $334.8 million per year (using AAA's average cost per mile for 10,000 miles                                                                                     per year/composite average for small, medium and large-sized sedans). </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Each telecommuter reduces their annual commuting cost by an estimated average of $2,104                                                                              per year (using AAA's average cost per mile for 10,000 miles per year/composite average                                                                                        for small, medium and large-sized sedans). </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Where Connecticut telecommuters live and work</U></B></I></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">The majority (86%) of telecommuters report to a worksite in Connecticut. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Approximately 14% of Connecticut residents report to an out-of-state location                                                                                                 (majority in New York and Massachusetts). </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Telecommuting in Hartford and Fairfield counties is slightly higher than the statewide average. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fairfield county is home to the largest group of those who work at home to make up for time                                                                                    off during regular business hours. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Industries of Connecticut telecommuters (top five listed)</U></B></I></div> <div> 15% -- Professional Services </div> <div> 14% -- Manufacturing </div> <div> 13% -- Financial Services </div> <div> 11% -- Health Services </div> <div> 10% -- Education </div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Job functions performed at home</U></B></I></div> <div> 43% -- Working with documents </div> <div> 40% -- Working with data </div> <div> 28% -- Transactions </div> <div> 27% -- Handling sales/customer service calls </div> <div> 21% -- Design/development </div> <div> 25% -- Other (child/elder care, product/repair maintenance, online, teaching/education, household                                                                            tasks and other) </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Definition of a Telecommuter:</U></B> </div> <div> Someone who works at home one or more days per month during normal working hours. This                                                                                                       definition excludes home-based businesses, those who work off site for after-hours catch up </div> <div> and those who work remotely when they travel.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Methodology:</U></B> </div> <div> The 2007 Survey of Connecticut telecommuters consisted of online interviews with 1,774 </div> <div> respondents between August 16, 2006 – August 28, 2006; a response rate of 10.2%. </div> <bR> <div> Respondents reported on a total of 3,002 workers in their households, for a total sample </div> <div> size similar to the survey conducted in 2001. </div> <bR> <div> The panel was balanced to reflect the overall characteristics of all Connecticut households </div> <div> in terms of geographic dispersion, age, educational level and income. </div> <bR> <div> To measure changes in various forms of telecommuting, the survey duplicated the basic </div> <div> questions used in the previous surveys. In addition, several questions were added to provide </div> <div> qualitative insight into the type of work done from home, feelings about working at home and </div> <div> awareness about telecommuting.</div> <bR> <div> Anyone interested in learning more about the program is encouraged contact <I>Telecommute Connecticut</I> at 1.800.255.7433.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ###</div> <div> <I><U>About Telecommute Connecticut</U></I></div> <div> <I>Telecommute Connecticut, a commuter service of the Connecticut Department of Transportation, provides employers with free assistance to design, develop and implement telecommuting programs. The overall goal of the state program is to decrease traffic congestion, energy consumption and air pollution throughout the state. For more information, contact 1.800.255.7433</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>