Most workers in this industry work in clean, quiet offices. Those in facilities management and maintenance may work in computer operations centers. Given the technology available today, however, more work can be done from remote locations using modems, fax machines, e-mail, and especially the Internet. For example, systems analysts may work from home, with their computers linked directly to computers at a financial services firm. Although they often relocate to a customer’s place of business while working on a project, programmers and consultants may actually perform work from locations offsite. Even technical support personnel can tap into a customer’s computer remotely in order to identify and fix problems.

Only about 6 percent of the workers in computer systems design and related services firms work part time, compared with 16 percent of workers throughout all industries. Many workers in this industry work more than the standard 40-hour workweek-about 1 in 5 work 50 or more hours a week. For many professionals and technical specialists, evening or weekend work is common to meet deadlines or solve problems. Professionals working for large establishments may have less freedom in planning their schedule than do consultants for very small firms, whose work may be more varied.

Those who work with personal computers for extended periods may experience musculoskeletal strain, eye problems, stress, or repetitive motion illnesses, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.