Telework is great, except when it puts employees' safety at risk

In response to "House to agencies: Tell us about telework," telecommuting is great, but greater emphasis must be placed on security of information and the safety of employees. For those employees who need access to a telephone, systems need to be established to ensure that their telephone numbers and addresses are not released to the public. God forbid it should ever happen, but what if an irate client or member of the public secures the employee's address and telephone number, goes to that employee's home and does harm to that employee?

As a manager, I would be the first person blamed. People would ask, "Why did you let an employee work at home and use their [personal] telephone or cell phone?" My employees require the use of a telephone, but we do not have access to our telephone system when working at home. I know blocking exists, but if the person being called has their blocking feature on you cannot make the call. So what does the employee do?

Anonymous
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission