Today, in spite of a slow job market, more companies are offering telecommuting opportunities. Too frequently, people mix up telecommuting and a small home business. These are not the same types of work at home opportunities, but both have significant advantages to them.
The Primary Differences: Home Based Business vs. Telecommuting
Comparing differences
There are some key differences between a home based business and telecommuting. Some of these are easy to identify, and others may seem rather blurry. Here are the similarities of telecommuting and home based businesses:
* Both allow you to work at home
* Both allow some flexibility
* Both save money on commuting
While these may be appealing, some of the differences between telecommuting and home based businesses can be daunting and include:
* W2 income versus 1099 income
* Company paid insurance versus self paid insurance
* Telecommuters may be eligible for unemployment insurance
* Telecommuters do not have to pay their own taxes
* Telecommuters have work assigned to them
These differences may not seem terribly complicated initially, however, over time they can have a dramatic impact on income. Those who telecommute get a regular weekly, bi-weekly or monthly paycheck for as long as they are employed. Those who are self employed do not get a paycheck with any regularity unless they have developed a base of clients.
Combine the unpredictable income of a home based business with the the need to save for retirement, support a family and pay taxes and some people will not venture into the work at home field out of fear.
Promoting Telecommuting Options
Tips
Considering working from home? For those who are already employed, it might be helpful to approach a manager. Approaching a manager at work regarding work at home options means selling the idea. of creating work at home team. Typically, this involves making sure that the company understands the benefits of having people who are telecommuting on staff. There is a case to be made for telecommuting, it is largely up to the individual employee to make sure that the employer understands the benefits.
Approaching a manager about telecommuting means that the highlights of allowing telecommuting have to be explained. Some of these include:
* Less sick time – those who work at home typically work even if they are not feeling great;
* Snow days – it is much easier (and safer) to work at home when the weather is bad;
* Productivity – While it is not always true, those who work at home tend to be more productive than their in office counterparts. There are generally fewer interruptions when working at home.
What about those searching for a job?
There are thousands of people out of work and looking for a job. However, this does not mean that there are no options available when considering a job that offers telecommuting. In addition to selling the idea of telecommuting, there are ways to ask about telecommuting during an interview. One word of caution – do not push this too much in an interview to avoid talking yourself out of landing the position. Employers who feel that a potential employee is only interested in telecommuting may not hire them.
Exploring Work at Home Opportunities
Finding work at home jobs
There are countless work at home opportunities that can be explored. Some of the challenges that have to be faced are the potential pitfalls of finding a legitimate work at home position. There are many work at home business opportunities for those who have specific talents, though self-employment may not be for everyone.
Avoiding the bad apples
One of the biggest challenges of finding work at home opportunities is the number of less than scrupulous opportunities that crop up. Stories of untold riches, how to earn thousands of dollars a day, send me $10 and I’ll send you a list of REAL work at home jobs, etc. Those who are interested in working from home should not have to pay to find a suitable job. There are countless ways to learn to earn online and those who are interested in doing so should not have to fork out money ahead of time.
There are work at home opportunities that will cost you nothing to get started. In some cases, it just takes some time to find legitimate work at home jobs that will cost you nothing to start.
Whether the decision is to telecommute or explore a work at home business, there are many options available. Those who are determined to begin working from home may have to fight some of the typical challenges associated with work at home but there are plenty of work at home tips and tricks that are readily accessible. Explore all options before deciding if telecommuting or a work at home business is right for you.
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About Doreen Martel
Well-rounded freelance writer who contributes to various blogs, paid to write sites and revenue sharing sites. Doreen is legally blind and has worked at home for more than 10 years. She uses the lessons learned from this experience to enhance her writing and share information with others.
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