Contact: Trip Reduction Coordinator
Phone: (602) 862-4816
Industry: Information Technology
Location: 13430 N. Black Canyon Hwy., Phoenix, AZ
Employees reporting to site: 650
Telecommuters: 96
Days/week spent telecommuting: 1-2
Year program began: 1994

Why Bull Information Systems began a telecommuting program:

Bull developed a telecommuting program to support their existing trip reduction efforts and to improve compliance. Being community minded, it is important to both management and employees that they participate in activities that help clean the air and reduce unnecessary traffic.

Selection criteria for telecommuters:

• Voluntary participation
• Self-motivated employee
• Appropriate area at home to work
• Must be able to do job from home

Bull telecommuter tasks:

• Software support and design
• Corporate communications
• Technical documentation

Elements of the program:

• Selection criteria
• Written policies
• Technical support (network & software)
• Operations support

In 1994, Bull’s Clean Air Team conducted a pilot telecommuting program with approximately ten employees. The ten month pilot, including a formal evaluation, proved to be successful. At the beginning of the program there was some reluctance from middle management as they did not want productivity to decrease. Whereas, upper management was very supportive from the start. They realized the importance of supporting clean air issues and offering valued employees a very beneficial perk.

Steps taken to develop the program:

1. Initiated pilot program.
2. Developed Bull telecommuting manual.
3. Conducted probationary period with feedback session.
4. Marketed program.
5. Evaluated equipment needs.
6. Developed co-op program building team.

Equipment used by telecommuters:

• Computer (may be provided)
• Modem (may be provided)
• Additional phone line (may be provided)
• Software (Bull provides)

What effects has the telecommuting program had on the . . .

. . . organization: Overall, having such an effective trip reduction measure is considered very positive for the organization. It enhances their overall goodwill toward the community and their employees. They feel it is a "win-win" situation for everyone because the telecommuting program retains valued employees.

. . . co-workers: For the most part, the non-telecommuters remain neutral. Many who don’t telecommute wish they could, but due to coverage and lack of needed equipment, many are still "tied to the office."

. . . management: Bull now benefits from a measurable increase in employee morale and productivity. Due to this, and by experiencing it themselves, management has more widely accepted telecommuting. One day a week without distractions offers them a "retreat" to work and be productive on their own projects. At the same, they appreciate the chance to contribute to cleaner air as well.

. . . customers: Accessibility to customers and fellow co-workers in other countries is just as good, if not better.

Any stumbling blocks along the way?

Currently, there is no standard policy at Bull regarding the provision of additional phone lines. It is handled on a department-by-department basis. They are now working to change this policy. In addition, employees must provide their own computer, so that may be a detriment to the expansion of the telecommuting program.

How the program has changed since the beginning:

They found that by adding speaker phones to all conference rooms, meeting attendance is not an issue. Middle management now fully embraces the concept as they find it quite useful in their own jobs. Lastly, telecommuting is now considered a part of the company culture, sending out a strong signal to other companies about how effective and innovative the program can be.

Successful Program Tips . . .

• The development of the manual was instrumental in the success of the program from its very beginning.
• Having the ability to teleconference with telecommuting employees has been key to the program’s practicality.
• Be flexible, accept change, and be supportive from the start. The program will succeed more quickly.
• In a word: trust