To: H-1B/L-1/offshoring e-newsletter Tue Feb 26 13:38:24 PST 2013 So, Yahoo! is now banning telecommuting for its workers: http://www.siliconvalley.com/ci_22666067/yahoo-ceo-marissa-mayers-ban-telecommuting-sparks-firestorm As a frequent telecommuter myself, I can understand that some of the workers are not pleased with the new policy. However, it illustrates what I've been saying so often over the years: Most tech work can't be offshored effectively. You need to talk to people on the spur of the moment, not once every 24 hours via videoconference. In pushing for expanded foreign worker programs, the industry lobbyists often threaten to send work offshore if they can't bring foreign workers here. Aside from the obvious point that Americans lose jobs either way, it's important to note that the industry can't make good on that threat; only certain kinds of work is appropriate for sending oversees. Norm