Should I telework because of swine flu?

WASHINGTON - Swine flu has a lot of people concerned in the region. But is it enough to get you to change the way you commute?

Telework leaders are urging organizations to get their plans ready.

"School systems and governments are starting to look at, what is our strategy if and when this situation does happen," says Cindy Auten, head of Telework Exchange, a public-private partnership focused on promoting telework.

"If your workforce needs to be dispersed, your employees will understand both from a technology standpoint and a cultural standpoint, how they should work remotely."

Telecommuting has proven effective when big events have hit the D.C. region in the past.

When the Pope visited last April, the U.S. Department of Transportation created a massive telework plan so employees would not be caught in gridlock.

Many federal agencies already have solid telework programs in place.

So far, no cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the D.C. region.

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