I received this e-mail today from a colleague:
Do you think people who are full time salaried with companies, but who telecommute 100% of the time, are more likely to be the first to be laid off during a downsizing?
An IT person for IBM worked from home. He got laid off a few months ago and has not found a job. It made me wonder if people who work remotely are somehow seen as more “dispensable.” It also made me wonder if people who work remotely just don’t have the relationship with the powers that be so that during a downsizing, no one is advocating for them to be the one to stay.
I have my thoughts on this, but before I share them I’m interested in your comments on this topic. I’ll post my response in a day or two, after you’ve had a chance to weigh in.