Employment Spot

Telecommuting Working from Home

The workday is getting longer and more stressful. Parents are away from home up to 12 hours a day. Employees are forced to spend hard-earned salaries on power wardrobes. They commute long distances at the expense of their pocketbook, their safety and the environment.

Telecommuting changes everything

What is telecommuting? Basically, using technology and alternate forms of communication to facilitate work from a remote office. It moves work to the people, rather than people to the work. Home computers, the Internet, e-mail, phones, faxes, overnight mail and conference calling have made it possible. Jack Nilles, founder and president of JALA International, a telecommuting consulting firm, predicts that 24.7 million workers will be telecommuting by the year 2000.

Telecommuters report less stress, more comfortable clothing, more flexible hours and fewer workplace distractions. They also report disadvantages. Some workers are distracted by the home environment, feel isolated and fear they are overlooked for promotions. With 24-hour access to the office, some overwork themselves. Meanwhile, employers worry about loss of control, extra expenses and lack of focus. Both sides turn to the Web for support, peer groups, solutions and strategies.

Look to the following guides for additional information:

• Pacific Bell Network Telecommuting Guide
  This terrific resource includes an equipment/technology overview and a realistic discussion of personal, home and family issues relating to telecommuting.
• Telecommuting Jobs
  Discover a list of books, supplies, hardware, software and training related to telecommuting. Looking for a telecommuting job or to fill a telecommuting position? You can do that here.
• Telecommuting: A Legal Primer
  This article from Business Week describes an employer’s responsibilities to employees who work from home.
• Information Net Source Corp. Telecommuting Jobs
  This site has established a listing of more than 700 employers who are interested in telecommuting employees.

A number of associations are also available to telecommuters. The following organizations provide tools and resources, newsletters, information exchange opportunities and more:

• The American Telecommuting Association
• Independent Homeworkers Association

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