How to Live Anywhere yet Work in New York, Los Angeles or Montana

With gas prices at record highs, and with traffic and roadway congestion contributing to longer times moving between home and the office, more and more are considering whether their jobs will allow them to telecommute, or work from a remote location like home. Many employers report requests from employees to telecommute have jumped sharply in recent months.

Between 5 and 18% of Americans currently telecommute, depending on which set of statistics you read. Some work exclusively from home, while others spend just one or one part of a day laboring remotely. More than a few companies offer this option to workers who are on maternity or a protracted medical or personal leave to those willing to continue their jobs at least part time.

However, there is still a fair amount of resistance toward the notion of telecommuting, especially on the part of corporate America. Some bosses argue that they worry employee production will drop; for this reason and others, they may restrict telecommuting only to top tier jobs. Long-time telecommuters are quick to refute claims they work less hard; many report they are much more apt to work longer hours, usually with no accompanying compensation for that extra time.

"It's a real trade off," says Mary Barton, a Yonkers, NY telecommuter for a large financial services firm. "I definitely worked less hours when I went into the office. Although I save an hour's commute each way, I probably work for free about three hours a day on average. Plus my supervisor likes to check up on me like calling at lunch time to make sure I'm at my desk before she goes off on her hour long break. She does the same late in the afternoon."

"Those at the office assume you're living it up at home," agrees Laura Gomez, who is able to perform her job as a customer service rep from her home in suburban Los Angeles.