People like Claire are those who refuse to be confined in a corporate system. They do not want to wear suits, skirts and pantyhose for nine hours straight. For short, they do not wish to go to the office day in and day out.



Lately, because of the popularity of the work at home options, more and more corporations are leering toward that direction. They know that there are people out there who could just not devote 1/3 of their whole day to work when they have 1/3 sleeping and 1/3 doing other stuff.

At least when people work at home, they control their own schedule. They can devote this time doing the work and have the other hours doing something else. For stay-at-home moms, this is also convenient because at least they can also spend time with their kids.

But a warning: You may see these ads everywhere from street light to your local telephone poles, on newspaper or on PC ads and these may seem that it is so accessible especially when you are at the comfort of your own home, you must always be careful.

Not all work at home opportunities will actually give you what they promised.

Ads have learned the trick to not say the stuff that can actually turn the interested clientele off. For example, some ads won't mention that you would have to pay for many hours without pay.

Then there are a bountiful work-at-home schemes that asks you to spend your own money so that you can spread the word about the business, promising that they will reimburse it but they wouldn't.

So here's the thing. If you are interested to work in your home for your convenience and such an opportunity come your way, you have a right to ask questions. Working at home is still a job opportunity and just like any other opportunity, you as an employee also hold the right to ask your employer the questions in your head.

Examples:

1. Ask them what tasks you will have to perform. You must have a detailed job description list because if not, you could be doing more than what you actually agreed on and getting less financially.

2. When will you be paid? Some work at home schemes promise that you will be paid every end of the month so you wait, but then only get disappointed because they weren't true to their word.

3. If your work at home task involve sales, ask them if you get paid based on commission. Specifically ask the rate of payment and make sure that it is clear so that you will not be in the losing end. Have it on paper as much as possible so you have a document to back up your statements.

4. Who will pay you? Because it is a work at home, it is hard to determine who your employers are because there is no physical contact. There must be some form of trust for you to at least have contact with the person who will pay you.

5. If your work at home requires you to have supplies or equipments, ask them who would pay for it? Should it be you or them? If it is you, it is only fair enough that they reimburse you with whatever costs you shell out because it is not your responsibility to fund for their business. It is your responsibility to work for them and get paid.

You can complain to the Federal Trade Commission if you've experienced some work at home inconsistencies. Call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or log on to www.ftc.gov.