Working From Home

October 14, 2007 (WLS) -- If someone said you could take your current job to-go and work from home a few days a week, would you do it? According to a new survey, a majority of moms say yes. They would like to have either a part-time job or work from home. Tory Johnson, Good Morning America's workplace contributor, discussed the do's and don'ts when it comes to this hugely hot topic.

Johnson says many people dream about some form of flexibility and those who make it a reality are either strong performers and/or have solid relationships with their managers. You must have one or both. According to Johnson, flexible work options come in many shapes: compressed work week, work at home once or twice a week, altered hours for start or end, even vacation by the hour. She suggests if formal policies don't exist, talk to your manager about an informal trial. She says to propose benchmarks for how to monitor and measure success. Also she cautions, if you're interviewing for a new position, don't ask about flex options until you've established that they want you. It's a common mistake people make and it only works at senior levels.

One of the newer work at home options is the virtual administrator. It is doing the standard administrative work -- maintaining a calendar, handling correspondence, booking travel, and so on -- but it is done from home. Johnson says there are many new technology applications available free online to support this.

Tory Johnson will be taking questions in person at a free Career Expo for women on Tuesday, October 16, at Lakeview Terrace in Navy Pier. The address is 600 East Grand Avenue. The women for hire career expo will run from 10am to 2pm. Admission is free. Business attire and resumes are required. Visit www.womenforhire.com for more information.

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