ACP joins with the Telework Coalition to promote telework as a business continuity response to pandemic influenza

The Telework Coalition (TelCoa) a telework advocacy and educational organization and the Association of Contingency Planners (ACP) have formed an alliance to promote telework as an appropriate business continuity strategy in response to pandemic influenza. The two organizations point out that distributed work (teleworking) can help to slow the spread of disease by limiting physical contact between individuals. This is possible because many jobs and tasks no longer require employees to be together at formal workplaces. Employers can create virtual teams of ‘clean’ core employees to continue vital mission-critical activities.

To enable distributed work, TelCoa is urging the US Congress to pass, and President Bush to sign, three bills that eliminate barriers and provide incentives to encourage telework on all levels. The Telecommuting Tax Fairness Act of 2005, (S. 1097 and H.R. 2558), will stop the unfair double taxation of interstate telecommuters. The Parents’ Tax Relief Act of 2005 (S.1305 and H.R.3080) and The Telework Tax Incentive Act (S. 1292) provide tax credits to businesses and individuals that establish and participate in telework programs.

“There is a need to both protect the population and to assure the continuity of business and government operations. Barriers to teleworking must be overcome if we are to adopt this method of working” says ACP CEO/chairman Paul Striedl. “To achieve these and other goals, the Telework Coalition and ACP have formed this strategic alliance.”

“When you have dangerous airborne-spread diseases the best way to contain and respond to an outbreak is by minimizing or avoiding contact between individuals,” said TelCoa president and CEO Chuck Wilsker. “With the widespread availability of broadband and secure remote access, the US can economically survive these outbreaks if governments and businesses act by urgently adopting, promoting and practicing telework. This is no longer an option, but a matter of survival - telework must be included as an integral part of all business and government continuity plans.”

Wilsker emphasizes that putting a plan in place will have far reaching benefits beyond a bird flu outbreak. “These programs are applicable for events ranging from severe weather emergencies and traffic problems to terrorist situations. Plus, the telework ROI benefits to an organization’s bottom line have been proven over many years.”

To further address this topic, the Telework Coalition and The Association of Contingency Planners will be holding a panel discussion, with a luncheon, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on December 8, 2005. The keynote speaker for the event will be former Virginia Governor James Gilmore, Chairman of the National Council on Readiness and Preparedness (NCORP). For more information on this event go to: http://www.telcoa.org/id282.htm

UPDATED 1st Dec
ACP has asked Continuity Central to point out that it is not involved in TelCoa's lobbying activity. ACP does not support the passage of any legislation or lobby in any way. The organization's bylaws specifically ban these types of activities. 

•Date: 29th Nov 2005 • Region: US • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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