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Clark Howard's Tips

Dec. 12, 2005

You are going to find more opportunities to work full-time or part-time from your home in the years to come. It's known in the industry as having a "remote workplace."

Some employers, of course, won't consider it at all. Others are at the other extreme and will do everything they can to encourage people to work from their homes.

Companies that jump into the trend with both feet have come up with solid procedures to monitor your work and save tons of money with work-at-home programs.

Sun Microsystems has about half of its workforce at home now and has saved $300 million a year as a result. The company doesn't need office space, computer or phones, so it saves a ton of money.

Another technology company, Agilent, has closed 50 U.S. sales offices and reduced their cost by 60 percent.

About 12 percent of U.S. workers are now working remotely, and as many as 40 percent are expected to work at least part-time from home in the next few years. Everyone benefits.

So what's the disadvantage of working from home? You may end up working too much. And showing your face around the boss and other people at work is always advantageous.

But the new mantra in the workplace seems to be: "If you want to keep them, let them go."

Consumer advice courtesy of