As you know, both of these advisories sent shock waves throughout the small business community. Although the letters have been retracted, there seems to be lingering doubt as to what exactly the Administration's position is on these two important issues. I hope you will take this opportunity to clarify that. Nearly twenty million employees today work at least some of the time outside the office. Increased workplace flexibility, created by the growth in technology, gives employees extraordinary new and better options for how they pay their bills.
Mothers can spend time with their children while working from home.
Rural homeowners can increase their employment options without facing a long commute or having to change their housing choices. Telecommuting can help reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and potential traffic accidents which can also endanger worker safety. Burdensome regulations that limit these increasing new options for employees that choose the flexibility of working from home should be avoided. Likewise, releasing and rescinding new DOL policies so rapidly creates so much anxiety and confusion among business that they may not offer telecommuting as an option to their employees to avoid the risk of liability. This is unacceptable.