Q. I am currently an employee at one of the pilot companies, how can I become a pilot participant?

A. The ABC TMA telecommuting pilot was meant to be a sample of employees, and is therefore small. Less than 20 employees were chosen from each site to participate. In some cases, human resources chose employees, in other cases department heads were asked to select people, and in some employees were asked to volunteer. At this time the pilot is closed to new participants as we are tracking this group until February 2000. The good news is that your company has agreed to pilot telecommuting to determine whether or not to establish a formal policy, which means if all goes well, you may be telecommuting in the near future.

Q. As a telecommuter, my company has asked that I add them to my current homeowner's insurance policy, why is that?

A. Your company wants to be sure that they are protected. Your current homeowner's policy covers you personally in the event that someone should get injured while in your home. If you are working from home, some courts would consider this an extension of your company's property. In that case, if someone were to get injured in your home, your company could be sued for damages. By adding your employer to your homeowner's policy it protects them from liability. To find out more about how this is done, contact your insurance company.

Q. What happens if I am telecommuting and I need to leave the house to run an errand? Is that ok?

A. Of course! Just like you take coffee breaks, or lunch at the office, as a telecommuter you are entitled to take time. In fact, as a telecommuter you may find that you are working longer since you have fewer interruptions. For this reason it is important that you make sure to schedule time to get up from your work area and stretch, etc. Short breaks may include getting coffee, throwing a load of laundry in, getting the mail, or simply stretching. If you do need to leave the house during a daily break, simply leave a message with the office that you have stepped out for a few minutes and the time that you will be back. If your office is kept informed they are less likely to surmise where you are and you are less likely to feel guilty about running errands.

If you have a Question that is not as Frequently Asked, 
please complete the form below and we will respond to you.