Home Is Where the Work Is

Like many of the estimated 250,000 people displaced from their offices following the attack on the World Trade Center, Tom Cooper didn't stop working. Indeed, he and his colleagues at TradeCard, an import/export trade settlement firm, set up shop from their various homes.

Using email, the Internet, laptops, cell phones and conference call numbers, TradeCard employees located in the U.S., Hong Kong, Taiwan, London and Seoul remained in touch.

Now more than ever before, firms realize the importance of home offices for their employees. Such communication and computer equipment at employees' residences keep businesses running and save revenue during times of crisis. Home offices also increase the productivity of employees who need to juggle family and work responsibilities and, as a result, can't always be in the office during regular business hours. ...