The Shortest Commute

Teleworking is a low-cost way to ease traffic in Virginia.

FOR ONCE, SOME good news about transportation has come out of Virginia. Last month, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) announced an initiative to promote teleworking in his office and throughout the state. Some 120 employees in the Cabinet and governor's office now are eligible to work from home for part of each week, and Mr. Kaine wants other state agencies and businesses to follow suit. Teleworking isn't a cure-all for Virginia's transportation woes, but it's a low-cost way to reduce traffic and save gas.

Nationally, only about 8 percent of employees work from home at least part of the week. Bosses fear losing command of the office; employees don't want to miss out on water-cooler camaraderie. But employees who telework at least part of each week are more devoted to their companies and more satisfied with their jobs than others. Companies such as IBM report that teleworkers are 10 to 20 percent more productive.

There are also obvious environmental benefits. A 2007 study found that teleworkers reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 14 million tons a year, the equivalent of taking 2 million vehicles off the road. The National Science Foundation started an aggressive telework program recently and found that employees who worked from home for part of the week spent 62 fewer hours commuting a year and saved $1,200 annually. Those are numbers any employee can get behind.

Mr. K aine's announcement furthers Virginia's reputation as a leader in teleworking. About 12 percent of Virginians telework at least once a week, reducing the number of miles driven in the state by 1.5 billion a year. With roads clogged and gas prices at record highs, Mr. Kaine is right to push teleworking. State agencies and businesses should follow the governor's example.