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DSS asks county leaders to approve teleworking

By Lynn Hotaling
A department head asked county officials last week (July 20) to consider letting some workers complete their job responsibilities from their homes.

Jackson County Department of Social Services Director Bob Cochran presented county commissioners with a draft proposal that would allow selected employees to "telecommute," or work at home via computer.

Gov. Jim Hunt issued an executive order last July encouraging the study of teleworking and establishing North Carolina's pilot teleworking project, Cochran said, and a number of counties are experimenting with the procedure.

Working at home is not for everyone, Cochran stressed, but is a viable option for employees with a proven record of responsibility and job performance. Allowing some social services employees to telecommute is an option he favors because the department can quantify the amount of work produced.

In many areas teleworking is actively encouraged as one way to reduce air pollution and automobile emissions, Cochran said. Studies have shown that telecommuting often increases both productivity and job satisfaction, he said.

Cochran suggested implementing the policy on a limited scope, perhaps allowing one person to try the arrangement for six to nine months.

"I would only consider people with a proven track record and experience," Cochran said. "That's why productivity increases - you give the best people a better work environment and they get better."

When asked by Chairman Jay Denton how he could measure job performance, Cochran said his department's reports are computerized and supervisors can easily keep track of individual productivity.

Commissioner Roberta Crawford asked Cochran how teleworking would affect employee morale. "We're hoping it will make people see us as progressive," Cochran said. "It should benefit parents and those with medical conditions."

Several department employees currently work away from the main office, Cochran said. They are not supervised directly, he said, but are in daily contact by telephone.

DSS supervisor Rachel Wilkie said any teleworking employees would have to be available during normal business hours. Also, the state DSS computer network is accessible only from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., which means any teleworking personnel would have to follow a traditional schedule.

Cochran and Wilkie spoke during the work session that preceded last week's commissioners' meeting. County officials did not act on the teleworking proposal during their July 20 meeting.

In other business last Thursday, commissioners approved a budget amendment in the amount of $19,507 to pay the county's match to the state Juvenile Justice Prevention Council. Officials also approved budget amendments from the departments of Social Services and Public Health to close out the fiscal year that ended in June.

Also, commissioners approved a request from residents of Grand Oaks Lane to add 820 feet to the state road system. This request will be forwarded to the Department of Transportation.

Turning to personnel matters, commissioners hired Jodi Pittman Middleton as a 911 dispatcher.

The next meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at the Justice Center.

Back to Archive: 07/27/00.