Pat Evans, retired from Bell South several years ago. Today, she still gets up every morning and heads for work. Only this trip takes her down the hallway where the only traffic jam is her dog Kelly laying on the floor by her bed. Slippers on, she heads to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and then down the hallway to her desk to start her days work- in her pajamas.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Evans is one of the 2.1 million people today working completely from home. Currently 82.5 million people work from home at least one day a week. By 2010 that number could increase to 100 million.
The number of telework-eligible and teleworking employees continues to grow. Seventy-four agencies with more than 1.7 million employees responded to the 2003 telework survey through Sloan Work and Family Research Networ. The agencies reported a total of 751,844 employees (43%) are eligible to telework, compared with 625,313 employees (35%) in 2002. This represents a gain of more than 126,531 telework-eligible employees or a gain of more than 20%" (Office of Personnel Management, 2004).
The Information Age
Employers appreciate why working from home is becoming so popular? Besides being more economical and convenient, the main reason is the drastic change in the type of work that people do. In the past, the average American earned money by working in agriculture, offices or manufacturing. In today's Information Age, the majority of Americans are involved in work that creates, processes, and moves information. Historically, this work has been done in offices. Today, more companies are making that happen from your own home.
Companies find it attractive not to have to supply office space- electricity and equipment. It is cost effective as well as a great way for small companies to compete with those with bigger staff and overhead. Additionally, at home employees are generally independent contractors. Companies who hire them do not have to provide sick time- holiday pay- vacation pay or medical benefits. In corporate America it is a win-win situation.
The employment situations of individuals who work from home vary greatly. Some are home-based corporate employees, called "telecommuters." Others hold down regular office jobs while moonlighting at home in their off hours to supplement their incomes. Still others are entrepreneurs embarking on their own business journeys. Whatever their reasons, it is expected to become the norm rather than the exception in future years. It is a green solution in so many ways; from lessening air pollution with less commuters on the road to energy savings with consumption being in the home and not both in the home and in an office.
Work at Home Jobs can touch on a variety of interests including: inbound sales, outbound sales, customer service, concierge services, reservationists, medical transcriptionists, emergency doctor service center, product recall, corporate assistants, government and corporate surveys and appointment setting. There are a number of opportunities to meet many individual preferences. Although working from home takes some discipline, it is a great way to increase your interests and your income.
For some professionals, computer consultants, accountants, editors, writers and graphic designers, creating a home office simply makes the most economic sense. Although these individuals have different educational backgrounds and possess a diverse range of skills, they share one important trait: they live in a a telecommuting age in which technology and the economic climate have made home-based employment both feasible and often more advantageous than working in a traditional office. For many employers it makes the difference between keeping their business going or closing. At-home workers tend to be quite dependable.
Numerous companies that have been featured on Good Morning America such as Teletech, Working Solutions, Alpine Access, Next Job At Home, Westat, ACD Direct, West at Home, Liveops and VIP Desk, all check out as legitimate at home opportunities. A good site to check out for a forum of at home workers is Work At Home Moms.
"I have have been working from home for around 8-9 years. I have worked for Live-ops, West, Alpine Access, Cloud 10, Westat, and ACDD. My average day consists of making coffee and opening the phones," said Evans from her North Carolina home. " I take calls until lunch time, take a little rest and put in 2-3 hours at night." Evans admitted it was nice to not have to worry about what to wear or have to chip in for dozens of office gifts for people you hardly know. "I am very much for working at home. No matter what the weather is like or how you feel you can work. Also you can set up your own schedule to meet your needs. It is the best thing that happened to me."
Do Your Homework
Before deciding to look for work from home make sure the companies are legitimate. Make sure they have been researched and proven to be true. Check with the Better Business Bureau and enter work-at-home chats and forums for good information about companies that hire work at home employees.
Many companies have made it their business to get you legitimate at home business opportunities. You can sign up online for a company that notifies you every day of new at home opportunities. Just remember to beware and be aware.
You should never have to pay a company to work for them or get listed with them. Some may require a background check due to the sensitive material you may be handling. But none should charge you to work for them and most will pay for your training before you start a project.
Keep Accurate Records
Most home office expenses are deductible at tax time. However, you must make sure your space is only used for your office and you must keep any and all receipts.
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