4. Trust Your People

Emotionally, trust is a key issue for telecommuters. Its absence or presence makes a major difference in a telecommuter's morale. Melanie Archer, a freelance Web site developer, says employers need to treat their telecommuters with respect. "You've hired a grown-up professional who knows how to manage her time. If you treat her like a high school truant, she will seek other employment," says Archer.

Kohler agrees that trust is critical to successful telecommuting arrangements. It took years of pushing, but she finally got permission to work from home two days a week. Unfortunately, her boss agreed grudgingly, and it shows in his behaviour. "This definitely affects my morale when working from home or the office. I have been with the company 11 years and am well respected and trusted, yet I feel my telecommuting arrangement is met with suspicion, which makes me feel undervalued."