KUA Launches Work from Home Pilot Program

More than a dozen employees of Kissimmee Utility Authority are now working from home as part of the utility's new pilot program.

Kissimmee, Fla. (PRWEB) April 19, 2006 – One of Central Florida's best places to work just got even better with the launch of a work from home pilot program.

More than a dozen employees of Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) are now working from home, most on a part-time basis. This includes employees in the utility’s customer service and information technology departments.

When our customer phone traffic picks up, we can instantly route calls to employees at home, rather than waiting for them to drive to the office.

Advanced technology, including computers, automation software and IP phones, allows employees full access to the utility from home. Managers can use the same technology to monitor and guide these employees remotely.

"The work from home program allows KUA to respond more quickly to peaks in customer service requests," said Mike Geraghty, the utility's vice president of customer service and marketing. "When our customer phone traffic picks up, we can instantly route calls to employees at home, rather than waiting for them to drive to the office."

There were almost 14 million Americans telecommuting at least part time in 2004, and an additional seven million running businesses from home, according to the most recent data available from the US Labor Department.

"This pilot project has other benefits as well, including moving people off the roads and back into their homes where they can ably carry out their responsibilities for our customers," said Jef Gray, KUA's vice president of information technology. "At the same time they are reducing traffic congestion and able to spend more time with their families."

KUA in 2005 was named a "Top 100 Company for Working Families" by the Orlando Sentinel for its organizational culture and innovative work-life balance offerings. Last year marked the eighth consecutive year the utility has been recognized in the program.

Founded in 1901, KUA (www.kua.com) is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.

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