FAQ@DLL
How Do I Find Telework?
by the Disability Linkage
Line Staff
Over the last few months Disability
Linkage Line (DLL) has seen an increase in callers who are curious
about how to find work from home (telework). They are coming across
telework ads on the Internet and are not sure if they are legitimate.
Although there are reputable on-line sources to help people explore
telework, there are a lot of scams out there as well.
How do I know if a telework
job is a scam?
Follow the old adage – if it seems too good to
be true, it probably is. Remember that you are applying for a real
job. You should expect to see all the things you would normally find
in a job listing, expect to go through a similar application process,
and expect comparable pay. If the ad says you only have to sign up
to get the job, or promises “easy
money,” it is probably a scam. Other signs of a scam are if
the job asks for money, was an unsolicited e-mail, asks you to ship
packages, or requires you to cash checks. Before pursuing any on-line
job, research the business. Try doing a web search linking
the company name with words like “problems,” “complaints” or “fraud.” You
will then get a list of Web sites (many might be blogs) that
will lay out scenarios of problems. You can also read about common
scams and tips on avoiding them at the Better Business Bureau’s
Web site, www.bbb.org/alerts/article.asp?ID=436.
Where do I find telework?
Most
legitimate telework opportunities take some time to find or develop.
Telework is still a relatively new employment frontier that not
all employers have embraced, so people need to be persistent when
looking for or attempting to create a telework job. Some of the most
common industries to support telework are customer service call centers,
information technology, and health care transcription. Personal
and professional networking is one of the best ways to find any job.
You can also visit your local workforce center to see how they
can support you in your search. Most likely, they can help you identify
legitimate businesses that offer telework. The Minnesota Resource
Center, 612-752-8100, recently launched Project STRIDE to assist
veterans with injuries and disabilities in accessing telework opportunities.
There are also valid on-line resources like job boards or specialized
Web sites that focus on work-at-home jobs or freelance opportunities.
One example of a site that is a resource for someone thinking about
telework is www.jobstelecommuting.com.
How do I explore telework
with my current employer?
Most telework opportunities
start out as a traditional on-site job and evolve into a tele-commuting
arrangement. Talk to your human resource rep to find out if your
employer already has a telework program in place. If you think you
have the personal traits necessary and a job that would work for
telecommuting, you may want to develop a well-thought-out plan and
propose the arrangement to your boss. In the plan, focus on the benefits
to your employer and how you will meet your job responsibilities.
If the reason you want to work from home is because of your disability,
identify the arrangement as an accommodation.
How do you know if telework is right for you?
Telework is not for everybody. The following questions can help you
decide if telework is right for you:
• Do you have space in
your home and a computer to use for work?
• Can you work independently
without supervision?
• Can you work alone for periods of time
without feeling isolated?
If you answered “Yes” to
these questions, then telework may be an option you want to explore. ![]()
If you have additional questions about telework, please call the
Disability Linkage Line at 1-866-333-2466. The DLL provides free,
disability-related information and assistance for Minnesotans. DLL
does not endorse any particular Web site or provider. They assume
no responsibility for transactions between the readers of this article
and listed organizations.
