Jobs for stay-at-home parents

Watch out for scams
While telework is increasingly becoming a recognized mode of work offered by mainstream employers, there's no denying that scams still abound. Promises to "Earn $1,000 to $7,000 a Week At Home" and "Make $339 Every Day" with "No Selling, No Inventory, No Risk" don't just sound too good to be true -- they are.

Not all scams will be this obvious. Here are some steps to take to protect yourself:

• Know what you're getting into
Gagnon says telework positions with established companies offering salaries and benefits are rarely of concern. It's the commission-only jobs or those requiring an investment on your part that are more problematic. Monster has created search categories called "Business Opportunity/Investment Required," and "Sales -- Commission Only" to help job-seekers identify positions that may carry more risk.

• Ask questions
Lots of them. "Ask about the company's origin, history, revenues, the outlook for the company and their plan," says Gagnon. "This is something everyone should do regardless of the opportunity but is especially important when you're going to be working from home."

• Go to the experts
If in doubt, ask for a reliability report from your local Better Business Bureau or contact the fraud department of your community police force. Canada's Competition Bureau also provides helpful advice online.

Negotiate with confidence
The bottom line, says Gagnon, is employers want good employees. If part-time work from home is what you want, ask for it. "It's more and more difficult to find competent people," he says. "If a competent person is willing to work from home part-time, it's definitely something an employer would consider over a less satisfying candidate full-time in the office."
For more information about telework in Canada, visit the website of the Canadian Telework Association.

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