The HR Capitalist has a great post about the distrust of those working from home.  Are they really working, asks writer Kris Dunn, or are they simply squeezing 3 hours of work into an 8-hour day? More importantly, can a remote worker/telecommuter even go to lunch without having that "gotcha" feeling?  A recent Business Week online article tells the story of a manager who caught one of his telecommuting employees out at a local restaurant with her kids during the business day.  Kris says that if you like working remotely, do what it takes to create the perception that you’re just as productive as those in the office.  Here are some tips for doing this successfully:

·         Answer the phone and respond to e-mails quickly.  You have to do more than your office based friends.  People will naturally look to be critical of your responsiveness based on your arrangement.  Go above and beyond to pick up the phone and respond to e-mails same-day.

·         If you're going out during the day in the same metro where you have office-based co-workers, don't wear your "Vote for Pedro" t-shirt and flip flops.  If your office is biz casual, you need to look that way when you go out.

·         Stay engaged with your team or those that you rely on.  Accept their meeting invites, even if you have to move your calendar around.  Set up a few tele-meetings on your own, even if you could do it all offline and one-on-one. 

·         Send e-mails after hours if you are working then.  Most remote workers find themselves cranking work out in the evening or after the kids go to bed.  If you are working then, don't hide from laying out a digital trail.