[Terry Farrell]

Yes and no to that!

I agree that there are many idle types who would try to take advantage.
However, there are plenty of reporting tools that can monitor what work is
being done (time on keyboard, how long apps are in use, number of phone
calls made and received, etc.). I don't see it as a Utopian dream. It really
depends on the job. Workers still have to attend a workplace: just not so
often. The requirement to attend the workplace should be in the contract and
negate any special need to cover transport costs.

I worked from home at least three days a week in my previous job (now
retired) and my wife still does work from home (for IBM) at least three days
a week. All of her colleagues work the same way too. So IBM seems to have no
problems with it. It is all down to the company culture and selection of
staff.

Think just how much difference it would make if just 25% of commuters worked
from home 3 days a week.

From my point of view, if I am calling my bank's help line, I'd rather talk
to someone from the UK - even with baby balling in the background - than
someone speaking incomprehensible English from Beetlejuice.

Terry

"Greg Maxey" wrote in message
...
Terry,

Having recently retired from an organization employing over almost 500
Civil Service employees; many of whom wouldn't actually do much work
anywhere (like a broken gun ... it doesn't work and you can't fire it), it
is little wonder that many bosses don't trust their workers to work
unsupervised. There are other pitfalls as well. We were located in
central PA and had an employee who "teleworked" from some remote place in
Montana. We had to pay travel and per diem cost each time she was
required to attend functions in PA. Also the employer is responsible for
accidents and injuries that could occur in that small home office. I
don't think it is very professional for a client to call a teleworker and
hear the washing machine grinding in the backgroud, the television or
small child screaching.

Teleworking and especially governement mandated teleworking quotas is a
Union representatives dream. It is like a "Get Out of Jail" free card for
an employee who is habitually late for work. On the surface teleworking
may sound like an ideal step to minimize congestion and save on fuel, in
my view however it is better suited for Utopia.

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Greg Maxey - Word MVP