Working at home is becoming increasingly popular. This year, 5+ million employees will spend 35+ hours per week working at home with some kind of formal arrangement with their employer. Working out of your home, in your pajamas, is a dream that plenty of 9-5 workers have. Working from home can be a wonderful thing, if you can manage it. There are many benefits like reduced expenses for things like childcare, commuting, work clothes, lunch out, etc. Also, there tax advantages to working from home.

There are however some negatives. No one is there to be the boss or set the schedules so you have to be disciplined. Working all alone isn't something that appeals to everyone and some people feel isolated. Some people find it difficult to draw a line between home life and work life. You have to be prepared to deal with unrealistic expectations from the rest of the family, procrastination, children (if any) and unsupportive spouses. Working at home isn't harder or easier, but it is work.

If you have decided that working from home is the best for you, talk to your employer about Telecommuting. Although telecommuting has been around for years, it is now on the rise. Many more companies are offering this for many more jobs even if the offer is for a partial week telecommute for starters. Remember your employer knows about the benefits of allowing their employees to work at home. The biggest benefit being increased employee satisfaction and retention. Employees who work at home are less likely to quit so recruiting and training costs are greatly reduced. Employees who work at home are more productive so fewer employees are needed to achieve the same results. Employees who work at home are highly motivated. Employees who work at home cost the company less -- less real estate needed for facilities, desk, supplies etc.

If your employer is not willing to allow telecommuting right away throw out the following options:

-- Compressed Work Week

This can allow you to put in a full work week in less than five days and reduce your overall commute hours. For the employer, this option can help improve worker coverage and extend the hours of service they can provide to their customers. If you cannot financially afford to decrease your working hours, this maybe the way to go.

-- Flexible Work Schedule

This option allows you to vary arrival/departure times. Flexible work schedules are usually considered on a case by case basis, and usually demand work during some core business hours.

-- Job Sharing

If you are willing to go part time, this may be the answer. This option allow you share your job responsibilities with another person while you still preserve your position & status with the company. Job sharing also benefits the company because overtime costs are all but eliminated and they have employees who are more productive and ready to work when they come in.

Do not be shy to ask your employers about these options. Remember: you don't ask; you don't get. You may be pleasantly surprised.

If your employer is not willing to entertain some flexibility, look for an employer that will. You may even be able to use another job offer with such flexibility as leverage. There are many companies out there that will accommodate you.

Good luck!