For telecommuters like Barbara Lopez, telecommuting means that the phone, fax, or email could ring at any time. The company considers it a trade-off. It requires constant discipline, and there is a price you pay for working at home. By not being in the office, people think you have a cake job. Telecommuters have to work harder to project an image of contribution to their co-workers and managers.
Many workers become telecommuters by choice.
The acquisition of personal computers, Internet access, and cell phones has led many employees to use these tools to stay in contact with the workplace in their off hours. Jerry Finegold is a trainer for a call center in Oakland, California. He spends his business day facilitating courses for new hires. On his own time, he returns phone calls and emails. I do it because I have the tools at home.