Haven’t you ever wished that you didn’t have to waste hours in rush-hour traffic on your commute to the office? Had more time with your kids? Or simply had the luxury to go to work in your pajamas?
Co-produced with USA TODAY, The Work From Home Handbook is an excellent resource for anyone who dreams of a work-from-home career. You can find the option that best suits your personal, financial and professional goals through the book’s systematic, step-by-step advice.
This book shows you how to:
Find out where and how you work best
Prepare a great proposal for your current employer
Demonstrate productivity in your home office
If your current employer is inflexible, this book also covers finding a new "beyond the office" job, or becoming an independent contractor.
Filled with solid tips, real-life examples, practical advice and – best of all – inspiration, The Work From Home Handbook can help you transform and achieve a healthy balance in your life and career.
Seventy-nine of Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” last year allowed – even encouraged – employees to work from home at least 20 percent of the time. More than two thirds of all American companies offered some telework options in 2005. And the country’s largest employer – the U.S. government – encourages employees to work from home “to the maximum extent possible.” Don’t be left behind. Find out how you can chose this career option for yourself.
1. Working at Home: The Win-Win Solution
How Your Company Wins
How You and Your Family Wins
2. Are You Ready for Life Without the Water Cooler
Part or Full-Time Telework?
Will You Like Flying Solo?
Being Your Own Boss
Stepping Off the Fast Track
Where Will the Desk Go?
Getting Out of the House
Who Will Mind the Kids?
3. Can You Do Your Job at Home?
Desk Jobs Work Best
Can You Be a Team Player From Home?
Can Your Job Be Neatly Scheduled? Does Your Job Require Personal or Client Contact?
What Equipment Will You Need?
Does Business Travel Already Take You Away From the Office?
If Your Current Job Isn’t Teleworkable
4. Making Your Case
Is Your Office Ready for Teleworkers?
Transform Your Personal Reasons Into Business Reasons
Line Up the Facts That Support Teleworking
Writing Up Your Telework Proposal
Presenting Your Proposal
Be Ready for Objections
5. Finding a New, Teleworkable Job
Find a Telework-Friendly Employer
Find an Advertised Work-at-Home Job
Telework Jobs You Might Not Find Advertised
Avoid Schemes and Scams
6. Go Freelance!
Is Freelancing for You?
Finding That First Freelance Job
Setting Rates
Entering into Client Agreements
Taxes for Freelancers
7. Telework and Taxes
Paying for Your Work-Related Expenses
The Home Office Deduction
Working for an Employer in Another State
Filing Your Taxes
8. Strategies for Work-at-Home Success
Ready, Set, What?
Draw Limits for Friends and Family
Show Your Stuff
Come Out of Your Cave
Keep Yourself in the Loop
Don’t Hit "Send" When You’re Mad
Check in With Yourself
Check in With Your Manager and Coworkers
Explore the Possibilities
Index
Reviews
MarketWatch ...
"Diana Fitzpatrick and Stephen Fishman cover the nuts and bolts of becoming a freelance at-home worker."
Catherine Clifford,YourOnRamp.com...
"A must-read for employers and employees focused on embracing flexibility in the workplace."
"Flexibility is key to business success today. And so every organization-and all employees-need to understand how to create solid, well-thought-out flexible work arrangements. This book gives employees the tools they need to demonstrate that flexibility is good not only for workers, but for managers, CEOs and the business as a whole."
About the Author
Attorney Diana Fitzpatrick is a legal editor at Nolo, working primarily on small business books. Prior to joining Nolo, Diana worked for the City Attorney's Office in San Francisco in the finance and bond department. She is a graduate of NYU School of Law and Barnard College.
