Telecommuting, the practice of working at home with the aid of computers, modems, and fax machines linked to the office, is becoming more prevalent in the modern business environment for a number of reasons. Environmental standards and car-pool requirements are being imposed on many businesses across the country. Economic factors are causing many employers to consider alternatives to an office facility-based staff. There is also an increasing number of parents who wish to remain at home to care for young children while maintaining their positions at work.

The key to a successful home-based office is to structure it so that customers and business associates sense no difference in work performed in the home and work done in a regular office. Unlike those who run their businesses exclusively from home, the telecommuter must have access to all information and resources required at both locations, and these arrangements must be...