If you think having a 30-second commute to work - walking from the bedroom to your home office - sounds nice, you're not alone. Teleworking (more commonly known as telecommuting) is on the rise. According to a 2000 study by the U.S. Department of Labor, there are between 13 and 19 million teleworkers in America today. Some telework full-time, but a larger number telework one or two days a week.

What does teleworking mean?

Telework is when an employee works from someplace other than the corporate office. It's an umbrella term for a variety of alternative workplace arrangements. Here's a quick breakdown:

Telecommuting - Working from home one or more days a week during normal business hours.

Virtual/mobile office - When an employee uses technology to perform job duties from a remote location. Perfect examples include a client's office, an airport lounge, or a hotel room.

Hoteling - Sharing an office space in a company location designed for use on a drop-in basis for employees. Cubicles are equipped with standard office technology -- phones, computers, faxes, printers, and so on.  Popular with consulting firms.

Satellite office - A fully equipped office location, usually in suburban areas, established by the company where employees can reserve space and work one or more days a week closer to their homes. This helps reduce commute times for employees.

What's the rationale behind teleworking?

Teleworking is becoming increasingly popular, thanks to congested roadways and cities and the increasing frequency of the two-hour commute. Along with wanting to ditch long commutes, Americans are also placing a higher value on family and work/life balance. Some employers also like teleworking because they can lower real estate costs by reducing the number of on-site employees in the corporate office. State and federal government support teleworking because shorter commutes reduce congestion, smog and traffic jams.

What jobs are best suited for teleworking?

Jobs that are information-based, portable and predictable, or require a high degree of privacy and concentration, work well for teleworkers. Jobs that won't fare well in the telework realm include anything with heavy customer interaction and face-to-face dealings. Administrative employees typically need to be onsite to make sure operations run smoothly for those who are in the office.  ~

How do I persuade my boss to let me work from home?

Go online and do some research. There are tons of sites dedicated to understanding and promoting teleworking. See how other people are pitching the concept to their boss and then write up your own proposal.

Can you tell me the most important things to incorporate into my pitch?

Three things to keep in mind:

1) Sell both the concept of telework and yourself as a dependable employee. Remind your employer of your reliability and ability to work independently. Demonstrate your preparedness for the teleworking lifestyle. Create a written proposal that details how you've created a dedicated workspace, and how you plan to handle potential interruptions (children, spouse, particularly needy pets, etc.) Draw up a plan of exactly what you plan to work on and how you intend to communicate with the home office. Assure your boss that you'll be available to come in on days that you're needed, even if that means restructuring your arrangement for that week.

2) Use statistics to back up your proposal. Did you know that teleworkers are 15-30 percent more productive on the days they work from home? Find great facts like this on the US. Department of Labor website at http://www.dol.gov/dol/asp/public/telework/p1_1.htm

3) Recognize that your manager may have objections to teleworking - and address them early.  Managers are wont to ask how they can effectively manage workers who are not physically present. With reluctant managers, you may offer a slow start - for example, trying a month of Friday teleworking and then meeting to evaluate the results.

Can I use telework time to look after my kids too? They don't need much watching.

If you have secret thoughts about using your time at home to care for children or elderly relatives, put them out of your head immediately. Telework is not a day-care or senior-care alternative. Telework is a workplace amenity that improves productivity and increases employee satisfaction. It's a perk that your employer gives to you.

How do I set up a home office?

The key criteria are comfort, function, safety, accessibility and privacy. Things to think about: good lighting, a comfortable chair, a sturdy desk, a computer, printer and fax and multiple electric outlets. If possible, have a designated PC and phone line for work that no one else in your household will use. Arrange your equipment so there aren't lots of exposed cables, cords and wires that you or errant pets can trip on.

~ Inevitably you'll run into a tech glitch at some point, so it's important you establish a good rapport with your IT staff. Most problems can be solved with a simple phone call and a tech support person walking you through the fix. It's also important that the IT folks understand what telework is all about so they can assist you better.

Do I still get vacation and other benefits as a teleworker?

Yes. Teleworkers are full-time employees and therefore are entitled to all the same benefits, vacation and sick time as onsite workers. (This assumes you have a home office and are not freelancing or running your own business from home.)

How do I deal with my spouse, roommate, child and/or particularly needy pet?

Lay down the law of "respecting space" from the get-go. Don't assume kids, significant others or roommates will know this on their own. One home-based dad crafted a traffic light and put it on the outside of his office door. Green means you can come and go, yellow means come in but be quiet, and red means, don't come in. A simple solution and something kids of all ages can understand. 

How do I keep in touch with the office?

Email and telephone are the most common methods of keeping in touch. How often is up to you and your manager to decide - but whatever you decide, put it in writing. Some managers like to receive daily email reports or phone calls, others prefer weekly status check-ins. More immediate communication methods, such as Instant Messaging (IM), are becoming more prevalent in the workplace. Once this technology catches on in the workplace, teleworking will be a more workable alternative to life in the office.

Can I wear my pajamas all day?

Many experts say you should dress for success, the psychology being that when you look sharp, you are sharp. However, until teleconferencing and videophones become mainstream, you can wear whatever you want. Jammies, superman cape, birthday suit - who's to know?