The Work from Home Handbook: Flex Your Time, Improve Your Life Book

Work From Home Handbook

Chapter One: The Ten-Second Commute
Join a Growing Trend
Do More (and Better) Work in Less Time
No More Commuting Your Life Away
Save money
Reduce stress
Reclaim lost time
Work at Odd Hours, Day and Night
Find Work-Life Balance

Chapter Two: Picturing Life Without the Water Cooler
Will You Like Flying Solo?
Being Your Own Boss
Stepping Off the Fast Track
Where Will the Desk Go?
Who's Minding the Kids?
The Best of Both Worlds- Part-Time May be Best Just Do It!

Chapter Three: Is Your Job Teleworkable?
Desk Jobs Work Best
Can You Be a Team Player From Home?
Can You Create a Schedule That Works?
Does Your Job Require Face-to-Face Meetings?
What Equipment Will You Need?
If Your Current Job Isn't Teleworkable
Your dream work-at-home job
Taking stock of your skills
Understanding your telework options

Chapter Four: Preparing a Telework Proposal Any Boss Would Love
Is Your Office Telework Friendly?
Create Your Telework Plan
Create your schedule
Decide on your hours
Figure out your telework tasks
Decide what equipment and materials you need
Make a plan for staying in touch
Have strategies for team projects
Plan to account for your time and your work
Make Your Personal Reasons Employer-Friendly
More Time With Family = Fewer Family Calls at Work
Shorter Commute = More Time and Energy for Work
More Flexibility = Greater Productivity
Escaping Office Politics = More Uninterrupted Work Time
Saving Money = Lower Need for Higher Paying Job
Line Up the Facts that Support You
Arm yourself with statistics
Check out thecompetition
Find support in your company's own documents
Get help from the government
Prepare Your Written Proposal

Chapter Five: Presenting Your Proposal to Your Boss
Plan Your Strategy
Ask the Right Person
Time Your Request Wisely
Take It Seriously!
Be Ready For Any Objections
"You won't be able to get your job done from home."
"You won't be here when we need you."
"How will we know you're working?"
"We've never done this before."
"Everyone else will want to work at home, too."
"Your absence will impact team-building and morale."
"Telework is going to cost the company money."

Chapter Six: Finding a New, Teleworkable Job
Find a Telework-Friendly Employer
Find a Work-at-Home Job
Call center agent
Telemarketer
Online tutor
Virtual assistant
Medical transcriptionist
Translator
Virtual concierge
Online expert
Home-based juror
Avoid Schemes and Scams
Medical claims processing
Product assembly
Envelope stuffing
Pyramid schemes
Protecting yourself from work-at-home scams

Chapter Seven: Fire the Boss-Go Freelance!
Decide Whether Freelancing Is for You
Life Without Regular Paychecks
Paying for Medical Care
Paying Self-Employment Taxes
Becoming Your Own Bookkeeper
Choose a Freelance Field
Pound the Pavement
Set Your Rates
Setting an hourly rate
Setting fixed project fees
Enter Into Client Agreements
Basic Letter Agreements
Reviewing a Client's Agreement
Stay the Course

Chapter Eight: Taxing Issues
Taxes for the Work-at-Home Employee
Tax Deductions for the At-Home Employee
Special Tax Issues for Telecommuters
Filing Your Taxes
Taxes for Freelancers
How Freelancers Pay Taxes
Tax Deductions for Freelancers
Filing Your Taxes

Chapter Nine: Strategies for Work-at-Home Success
Demonstrate Your Ongoing Productivity
Resolve Telework Issues as They Arise
Make Use of Computer-Friendly Coffeeshops