BERKELEY, Calif. - The Work Design Collaborative (WDC) announced today that it has received a grant from the Gaines Family Foundation to create a new industry and professional association, the Distributed Work Industry Association (DWIA). The new association will develop industry standard productivity measurements, provide professional development programs for industry leaders, and seek to influence state and federal regulations that help or hinder the growth of distributed work.

WDC is an initiative that manages the Future of Work global community, a consortium focused on achieving new levels of workforce and workplace productivity.

With the support and guidance from the Gaines Family Foundation, WDC will now begin interviewing industry experts, developing a draft charter for the new association, contacting prospective member firms and recruiting an initial board of directors.

Jerry Gaines, trustee of the Gaines Family Foundation, stated, "Our foundation wants to encourage corporations and individuals to rethink where, when and how work takes place. We believe companies can reap enormous cost savings by embracing distributed work. And, working from home - or close to home in a satellite office - can have a positive impact on families and communities, such as reductions in traffic and commute times, air pollution and the use of high-priced gasoline, as well as increased productivity."

Charlie Grantham, executive producer and co-founder of the Work Design Collaborative said, "We've been tracking the growth of mobile and remote workers for years, and it's clear that organizations need to develop more formal distributed work programs to take advantage of what is already happening under the radar. We've seen some companies reduce operating costs by more than 30% when they fully embrace distributed work and alternative workplace strategies."

Jim Ware, co-founder of WDC, added, "While distributed work is compelling for both employers and individuals, there are many state and federal regulations that make it difficult or too expensive to work from home offices. We want to generate public awareness of the need for new legislation that will promote and support distributed work."

For information on participating in the industry association, contact Jim Ware at +1 510.558.1434 or jim@thefutureofwork.net, or Charlie Grantham at +1 928.771.9138 or Charlie@thefutureofwork.net.

About the Work Design Collaborative and Future of Work

The Work Design Collaborative, LLC, provides leadership for the Future of Work community, as well as research and advisory services for its corporate clients and local community development organizations. Future of Work is a global network of senior professionals committed to re-defining work and implementing new work environments that are cost-effective, socially and environmentally responsible and personally satisfying. Future of Work produces management tools, surveys, benchmark databases, white papers and technical reports, conferences and workshops, newsletters, books, articles and public presentations on the changing nature of work. WDC/Future of Work is focused on helping its members and clients achieve new levels of workforce and workplace productivity. For more information, visit www.thefutureofwork.net.

About The Gaines Family Foundation

The Gaines Family Foundation was started by Jerry Gaines in 1998 in recognition of the need for market-oriented thinking in non-profit activities. The Foundation has given grants in the areas of healthcare, education, and technology to help improve our lives and communities. Jerry Gaines is currently President and CEO of Capital Gaines Investments, LLC, and was previously President and CEO of TCI Telephony Services and Sr. Vice President of TCI Communications. For information on the Gaines Family Foundation, contact Jennifer Stovall at +1 720.207.9622 or Jennifer@capitalgaines.net.

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