BT NEWS - working from home

With more and more people likely to make use of advanced telecommunication facilities to work from home, BT is itself taking part in a unique teleworking experiment.

Ten volunteer Directory Assistance operators from Inverness are taking calls in the comfort of their own homes, offering the same first-class service, yet still enjoying all the benefits of working as a team with each other and their colleagues back at the centre.

The Volunteers have specially-adapted terminals at home giving them all the facilities offered at the centre. To counter any feelings of isolation, they are also linked by videophones giving them direct contact with their supervisor and, for chats during breaks, with other members of their team.

It is estimated that by 2000 more than 4 million Britons could be working from home for at least three days a week.