Telecommuting—people working at home with computers connected to offices many miles away—could reshape the way America works. What are the effects of this phenomenon on workers, managers, and labor unions? What is the technology behind this arrangement? What are the legal implications surrounding telecommuting? In this volume, these issues are addressed by experts in computer applications and information systems, business and industry, training and operations, corporate forecasting and analysis, law, organizational behavior, and labor. Case studies of several actual telecommuting systems are presented.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Introduction
I. Case Studies
Overview
American Express Company: Project Homebound
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of South Carolina: Program for Clerical Workers
U.S. Army: Prototype Program for Professionals
Mountain Bell: Program for Managers
Control Data Corporation: Alternate Work Site Programs
F International: Twenty Years
II. Issues and Problems
Legalities
Effects of Work Location on Motivation
Use and Misuse of Workstations at Home
Discussion: Labor Issues
Discussion: Lessons Learned
III. The Future
Technology Forecast
Clerical Workers and New Office Technologies
The Potential of Remote Work for Professionals
Commentary
Appendix A: Control Data AWS Employee Survey
Appendix B: Control Data AWS Manager Interview Protocol
Appendix C: AFL-CIO Resolution on Computer Homework
Index