Code of Practice on e-Working wins major European e-work award - TreacyE-work: an award winning solution to the Winter blues for businessAward coincides with next week’s Enterprise Ireland/Telework Ireland Conference on e-Work For Business

Mr. Noel Treacy, T.D., Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce today (Thursday 9th November, 2000) welcomed the win of a major European e-work award for the Code of Practice on e-Working in Ireland. The award was presented to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Brussels earlier this week. The awards, which are organised by the European Commission, are given annually for best practices in the introduction, development and promotion of new working practices in the Information Society.

The Code Of Practice, which was submitted by the e-Work Action Forum, won the award in the category "Best Framework Agreement". The Code of Practice, which was drawn up by the National Advisory Council on Teleworking, aims to encourage best practice in the companies engaged in e-work arrangements, to the mutual benefit of employers and employees. The Code of Practice has been endorsed by the Social Partners in fulfilment of a commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.

Minister Treacy said "this award is a major tribute to our social partnership process and will be very helpful in promoting the Code of Practice, and indeed e-work itself. Minister Treacy added "the timing of the award is particularly opportune in view of the recent deplorable weather conditions which made travelling to work a hazardous experience for many people. Those engaged in e-Work, or telework, which allows work to be carried out independent of location, were not affected by the bad weather and productivity was not lost. This had clear business benefits."

The award also coincides with the Conference on e-Work for Business being run by Enterprise Ireland and Telework Ireland on 13-14 November, 2000 in Citywest Hotel, Dublin. Minister Treacy urged all businesses to learn more about the benefits of e-working as a conventional and smart business solution by attending this very important National Telework Conference.