Perspective: Telecommuting´s Patently Obvious Gains

Reprinted with permission from CNET News.com

A case in point is the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The acting chief financial officer of the Patent Office recently made a request to the U.S. Government Accountability Office for permission to reimburse its employees for costs associated with maintaining high-speed Internet access at their homes in connection with the patent agency's telework program. The GAO just approved this request, while recommending that the Patent Office periodically review reimbursements to ensure that there are adequate safeguards in place against private misuse. The background is as follows.