Telecommuting requires working from home (or from wherever you may be) via computer. With today's wired world, this is simple to set up, provided you have high-speed Internet access and a workhorse of a printer. If you're at home, the trick is setting aside quiet space for your office and keeping disciplined hours so you actually get work done.
Job sharing allows two employees to split one full-time position. You alternate doing the same job by day, week, or whatever arrangement you all agree upon. In essence, you divvy up responsibilities, accountability, and compensation. The hitch is you have to make sure you and your colleague can efficiently coordinate and communicate in a way that doesn't cause your manager any unwanted stress and gets the job done professionally.
Compressed time allows you to condense your workweek. That could mean four 10-hour days, giving you a full, extra day to be with the kids (or a few scarce hours of alone time). And of course, there are those backroom workplace deals that have been around for some time and are typically negotiated on an individual basis, including part-time work with or without benefits, full-time work without benefits, and extra vacation time without pay.
Dress. Here, you're really in luck: Classy, casual dress has replaced stiff business attire at many companies. Toss the navy pinstripe power suits with the boxy shoulder pads and pumps. Instead, stock up on washable silk blouses, wrinkle-free cotton or gabardine slacks, and walkable flats. Adding the new clothes may cost you, but the new look is user friendly and less expensive over time, since it's easier to sidestep those dry-clean-only suits.
For women, though, there's a fine line between business casual and overly casual. Do your own workplace review before stepping out. Until you get a feel for how the women in the office dress, you can't go wrong with a long comfortable dress, or skirt and top, plus a blazer. A suit jacket adds a professional look to practically any get-up. You might also get by with the khakis, tucked-in shirt, and loafers wardrobe the men in some offices favor. A universal tip: Smart casual doesn't mean flip-flops. And skin is never in.
