I work for one of the top 5 computer services firms in the country, and have been to the office once in the past 2 1/2 years. I like it, but it's not for everyone.
Some folks are not "self starters"... and need to be supervised. Others have the work ethic to "get it done". Some just don't trust themselves enough to work from home - worrying that they will get complacent.
There are benefits from both sides of the fence.
For me... I've only put about 5,000 miles on my car in the past 2 1/2 years and the $200/month I would spend for gas equates to a $2,400/year raise/bonus in my book.
For the company... it is very easy for me to work 10, 12, 14 hours per day -working from home. While I don't have to often, I do when I need to and it is much easier to do so - from home.
I spend a lot of time on conference calls so I am usually in my "smoking room" while I am on them. If I need to "work" - I can take my laptop into the smoking room and work away, while puffing away.
It's a win-win situation for me and the company.
Omaj