Beating Gas Prices by Skipping the Commute

"My response is, how do you know if they're working in a bricks-and-mortar environment?" Campbell said.

On the contrary, employees who work from home are usually very productive because they enjoy working from home and so are motivated to make sure the program is effective, she said.

The patent office does not just take their word for it, either.

"We track everything," Campbell said. "They can goof off if they want. But they still have a quota to meet every biweek."

Diane Bombard, 41, a meeting planner at the National Recreation and Park Association who has worked from her home in Centreville twice a week for more than two years, said she probably works more hours, not fewer.

There are fewer distractions at home. At the office, she is more likely to be pulled away from a task by the telephone, a co-worker, or meetings.

Of course, it can also get lonely at home, she said. Now and then, especially after she has been on the road a lot, she will go to the office to check in. But she feels as if working from home is a perk, and it also has the benefit of allowing her to park her 17-mpg SUV.

"I get more done," Bombard said.

Staff writer Stephen Barr contributed to this report.