Its nice to work at home, but the stay-at-home employees suffer, according to one recent report.  According to two business professors, work-at-home employees receive lower performance evaluations, smaller raises, and fewer promotions.  Stay-at-home employees are observed less.  They receive less "passive face time," say the two researchers.   In white collar jobs, the lack of face time will impact choices for leadership positions. 

"Face time" outside of work can lead to conclusions that employees are dedicated or committed.  The bias against home workers is probably unconscious, say the professors.  Managers of employees who telecommute or utilize flexible hours should revise evaluations to include more objective criteria.  More objective evaluations will help overcome the differences in work locations, say the researchers.  See ABA Bar Journal report.