In order to help reduce trips and their impact on the transportation system and the environment, staff is proposing that the Transportation Agency adopt more expansive Telework (formerly Telecommuting) Policy. Through this Telework Policy, TAMC will have the ability to improve worker productivity, lower office costs, and reduced vehicle trips by allowing employees to work at home, on the road, or in a satellite location, as appropriate for all or part of their work week. 

The Transportation Agency considers teleworking to be a viable, flexible work option when both the employee and the job are suited to such an arrangement. Data has shown that a well-defined telework program helps to reap benefits of continuity of operations, increase productivity, recruitment, retention, work-force balance, positive environmental impacts, and potential overhead savings.Expanding the ability of employees to telecommute supports the Transportation Agency's  mission to reduce the impact on our regional road network in order to make our transportation system safer, more convenient, and environmentally-sustainable.

During the COVID-19 shelter-in-place, the Transportation Agency staff have demonstrated that widespread employee teleworking can still be highly productive. Under the proposed policy, teleworking will be allowed upon prior approval of the employee's supervisor according to an agreed-upon schedule. The supervisor's determination will be based upon the nature of the employee's work assignments, the need to attend out-of-town meetings or appointments, or the need to socially-distance to ensure employee safety. This Telework Policy contemplates allowing work from non-office locations for an extended period of time, not necessarily in situations where an employee is at a conference or a TAMC-related business trip. The employee and supervisor will work out arrangements suitable to each employee's particular job duties and circumstances.

A teleworking employee is still subject to all of the conditions mandated in the current Human Resources Rules and Regulations, and other TAMC policies that may apply, regardless of their physical work location. The policy also makes it clear that teleworking is a voluntary program and the Agency does not in any way require that a remote office be maintained by any employee. In addition, an employee's ability to telework is at the sole discretion of their supervisor or TAMC executive director and as such arrangements allowing teleworking may be discontinued at any time.