That's the kind of dynamic that managers can't ignore. Unfortunately, managers who would just as soon have workers close by may not care to correct such problems. Have your managers and telecommuters agree in advance on performance measures, schedules, and deadlines. Many telecommuters feel they have to bend over backward to prove they're trustworthy. Managers must resist any inclination to paranoia with their staffs dispersed.
Telecommuting also tests workers' ability to draw a firm line between family and work.
Working parents also require a place to work where their papers won't be disrupted after they log off. Stilson had a nanny when she worked at home, and even so, she sometimes had to walk down the street with her portable phone to have a business conversation without baby wails in the background. She found a new job with more opportunity, and she doesn't telecommute yet. The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.