One problem telecommuters face is in setting up their Outlook calendar to show their availability. If they set up appointments marked out-of-office (because they are out of the office) no one will schedule calls or appointments, thinking they are unavailable. As a result, we get many requests asking how to add additional types – telecommuting, Office A, Office B, etc, - so others will know they are available even though they are not in the office.

Unfortunately, the Show time as list is not editable. You’re stuck with just four choices: Free, Busy, Out-of-Office, and Tentative.

You’re not busy, just not “in”. You’re out of the office, but still available. You’re free for calls (but not face-to-face meetings) – but appointments marked “Free” won’t show up in your Free/Busy.

That leaves Tentative. Set up tentative appointments for the “out of office but available” periods and put your availability in the subject field: “Home, can take calls” “At Downtown office” etc so that others will know your status and can schedule appropriate appointments with you.