101 Tips for Telecommuters—Successfully Manage Your Work, Team, Technology and Family

92. Skip the Massage—Get a Headset

Unless you telecommute with minimal need to interact by telephone with co-workers, customers, or associates, having a headset is something you should seriously consider. I know no one who's tried using a headset and decided to go back to the neck-killing phone on the shoulder routine. At the same time, I know any number of people who've been disappointed with a headset they purchased for one reason or another. If your phone usage justifies it, a headset is an invaluable tool for a telecommuter, but there's great variability among headsets in terms of comfort, audio quality, and operating flexibility. So, put a headset on your list of essential tools and evaluate these features when selecting one:

• Weight (the ...