Is it hard to tell when your workday begins and ends? For smartphone-equipped employees, it's a fact of life. But is it fair to ask staffers who get paid by the hour -- or for overtime -- to answer e-mails and calls while they're off the clock?

A pair of pending lawsuits might just play a big part in applying some guidance around that question. And at a time when budgetary constraints are pushing many companies to rely more on part-time and temporary staffers, IT managers may want to take note. It certainly raises questions about remote employees.