The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

December 7, 2008

County OKs telecommute from Arizona

Le Sueur County to save money

By Brian Ojanpa

LE CENTER — A Le Sueur County Human Services Department supervisor will be allowed to work from her home — in Arizona.

Tammy Morgan has received unanimous approval from the County Board to telecommute from the condo she and husband Greg own in Mesa, Ariz.

“I’m very fortunate. I’m tickled, but a little nervous,” said the child-support supervisor, who oversees a staff of seven.

Le Sueur County officials said approval of the 1,223-mile telecommute is the product of Morgan’s proven proficiency and her request for part-time employee status, which will save the county money.

County Human Services Director Sue Rynda made the request to the County Board in November after Morgan proposed she be allowed to work from afar January through April.

Rynda said she wouldn’t have wasted the board’s time if she wasn’t fully confident the telecommute can succeed.

“I think it will work beautifully. It’s a win-win situation,” Rynda said. “Tammy is a very hard worker. She’s wonderful at what she does.”

Morgan’s job and those of her staff are highly Internet-based. Under the plan, Morgan will be supplied with a laptop computer, software and cell phone. She will be responsible for providing office space and a printer.

Rynda said monitoring Morgan’s work can be easily done with computer tracking systems, and her work days will be 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.

County Board Member Robert Culhane said his initial concerns were allayed by Rynda.

“I was taken aback at first, but after I spoke with Sue ... she’s never steered us wrong. I’m confident it will work. This is not something for everybody. This is something you have to earn.”

Morgan is a 16-year employee of Le Sueur County.

As for overseeing her staff, Morgan said she anticipates no problems.

“It’s a very good staff, very dedicated with a strong work ethic.”

Morgan said she proposed becoming a part-time employee because she felt she could effectively do her job in that time frame as she phases toward retirement, and she desired a telecommute plan in order to spend winters in Arizona.

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