According to a study by World at Work Research, 33.7 million Americans were telecommuters in 2008. A telecommuter is defined as a person who works remotely for their employer at least one day a month. Out of those almost 50% were considered “contract telecommuters,” a subset of total telecommuters comprised of those who are self employed, business owners or who work on contract. Whether you are part of the 17.2 million people who are employed full time by someone else or you are one of the 16.6 million who work for themselves, telecommuting is an opportunity more Americans are taking.
Reasons for Telecommuting
Out of those interviewed for the World at Work study who said they do not telecommute, over one third were interested in performing some or all of their tasks from home.
There are many reasons people are interested or are choosing to telecommute. Rising fuel costs and a better work-life balance are two of them. The benefit of working in a tee shirt and shorts is also appealing to many. Other reasons to telecommute include:
- Flexible hours - Schedule errands and appointments more easily.
- Save money on wardrobe - Work in jeans and sneakers, tee shirts and flip flops or bathrobe and slippers.
- No commuting time or stress - The daily commute will be from bedroom to kitchen for coffee to your office.
- No micro-managing - There will be no boss standing over your shoulder.
- More family time - Be there to greet the kids when they step o the school bus or take them to that soccer game or karate.
Telecommuting Jobs and Opportunities
Are you thinking, “Gee, this sounds great. How do I start?” The good news is there are more self employment or home business opportunities now than there were ten years ago. More and more companies are recruiting for telecommuters. If your company is not one of them you can suggest a pilot program.
There are also many websites dedicated to work at home and telecommuting opportunities. Try a Monster search or a Google search using the keywords telecommute or work at home. Many customer service call centers offer outsourced telecommuting work, also known as virtual call centers. Research companies like West, Alpine Access, LiveOps, and Convergys.
Beware of Scams
The sad truth is that while there are many legitimate telecommuting opportunities, there are also many scams. Here are some tips in recognizing what may be scam:
- Research the Job Listing - Find out the salary of the position. How do you get paid? Is it a commission basis? Per hour? Per call taken? Per minute on call? How often do you get paid? What is the method of payment?
- There is no such thing as “Get Rich Quick.” Avoid jobs and opportunities that promise high income immediately or for just part time work.
- Do not send money - Legitimate employers do not charge you to get started.
- Check References - If you are not sure about the company’s legitimacy ask for references. If the company refuses to provide you with a list of employees and/or contractors in your area just walk away.
Is Telecommuting Right For You?
Millions of people have made the choice to telecommute and work from you. Is this the right choice for you? Perform your due diligence and make sure that telecommuting will work and be beneficial for your lifestyle. Soon, you may be working in your fuzzy slippers.
Source
Telework Trendlines (PDF), WorkingFromAnywhere.org, Retrieved July 17, 2010
Work at Home Scams: Avoiding Job and Work at Home Scams, Alison Doyle, About, Retrieved July 19, 2010
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