The Clean Air Campaign and Governor Deal announce Georgia Telework Week Sept. 12-16

Aug. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- ATLANTA –  It boosts employee productivity by as much as 20 percent. It saves employers money on overhead expenses. It improves air quality. More than 600,000 employees across Georgia are doing it. Now the business community can help The Clean Air Campaign raise awareness for it during Georgia Telework Week – Sept. 12-16.

The Clean Air Campaign and Governor Nathan Deal announce Georgia’s second annual Telework Week, promoting the numerous benefits of telework to employers and commuters. During this week, The Clean Air Campaign is asking commuters and employers to log onto CleanAirCampaign.org/TeleworkWeek to show their support for telework. The organization is also encouraging employers to learn about and use its free consulting services. Resources are also available to commuters looking to make the case to employers about the benefits of telework for their company.

A special Telework Summit on Sept. 15 will provide fresh ideas and guidance for employers looking to implement a telework program or build on the success of their current efforts. The free half-day event features a keynote address by Geri P. Thomas, market president, Bank of America, break out presentations and a question-and-answer session. The event takes place at the Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street, Atlanta, GA 30303.

“Bank of America is proud to be a part of this effort to help organizations understand the economic and environmental benefits of telework,” said Thomas. “The Georgia Telework Summit provides us with an opportunity to showcase how telework has enhanced our business strategy, ensured business continuity for our company and impacted our community. We hope our story will empower other businesses in the region to start a telework program of their own.”

With new, stricter air quality standards expected to be revealed later this year, and more than half of smog-forming emissions coming from the tailpipes of cars in several metro areas in Georgia, telework helps to improve air quality by reducing vehicle miles on the road and pollution in the air.

The Clean Air Campaign has been a national leader in its innovative approach to telework since launching its Telework Leadership Initiative in 2003. Since then, the not-for-profit organization has helped more than 250 Georgia employers start or expand telework programs.  

“Metro Atlanta possesses a competitive advantage for telework over other major cities due to our position as one of the most wired regions in the nation,” said Mike Williams, director of employer services at The Clean Air Campaign. “A recent survey of metro Atlanta commuters shows the number of teleworkers and the frequency with which they telework has grown since 2007. We expect that trend to continue.”

To join Bank of America and hundreds of other organizations across Georgia supporting telework as a business strategy, sign up at CleanAirCampaign.org/Telework and also register for the 2011 Georgia Telework Summit.

Telework Working in Georgia

Seventy percent of Vocalocity’s employees telework at least once per week.

More than 40 percent of Georgia Natural Gas’ workforce participates in telework to avoid traffic and the costs associated with a solo commute.

Ninety-five percent of teleworkers at Georgia Power believe telework increases employee morale and 92 percent of managers view telework as an added-value benefit to its company.

About The Clean Air Campaign

The Clean Air Campaign is a not-for-profit organization that works with more than 1,600 Georgia employers, tens of thousands of commuters and more than 300 K-12 schools to encourage actions that result in less traffic congestion and better air quality.  In conducting these programs, The Clean Air Campaign works in partnership with The Georgia Department of Transportation.

The Clean Air Campaign, along with partner organizations, creates customized commute options programs for employers; provides assistance and financial incentives to commuters that enable the use of commute alternatives; and empowers students, parents and teachers to play a positive role in reducing traffic and improving air quality through an action-oriented school program.  The Clean Air Campaign also protects public health by distributing Smog Alert notifications.

Each day, these programs reduce 1.4 million miles of vehicle travel and keep 700 tons of pollution out of the air we breathe.  For more information, call 1-877-CLEANAIR (1-877-253-2624) or visit CleanAirCampaign.org.

CONTACT: Mike Rieman/Brittney Watson
                    404.816.2037
                    brittney@cookerly.com
                    mrieman@cookerly.com