Abstract:This paper presents results from the field test of a survey designed to collect data on the individual decision to telecommute. The field test was conducted primarily to assess whether a cover letter from the employer would induce a response bias. The survey was administered with two cover letters to the Sacramento-based Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and the San Francisco-based Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The cover letter type had a small (insignificant) impact on the response rate, but in the opposite direction than expected. The cover letter had little effect on reasons for wanting to telecommute: "to get more work done" was still the most important advantage for both cover letter groups. Differences in commute characteristics between the two agencies resulted in differences in perceived advantages of telecommuting. For PUC employees, reducing commute stress was the most important advantage of telecommuting, although getting more work done was a close second. For FTB employees, reducing commute stress was in ninth place. The combined sample showed a marked preference for home-based rather than center-based telecommuting.