Would you give up your regular job for an online, work-at-home job?
By doryvien
@doryvien (2284)
United States
August 7, 2009 9:27pm CST
I was interviewing an applicant for one of the job openings in our company. I was particularly surprised at one detail= six months ago she gave up her high-paying job in a leading company in the country in exchange of an online job which was offered by an online employer,for a position called Offsite Administrator for a real estate company in Canada. She was able to talk to the "boss" over the internet(skype), they agreed on the terms(job responsibilities, workhours, salary, deliverables) and she accepted the job offer - all these transactions happened online. Wanting to spend more time with her family, and thinking that she found a really good work-at-home job, she resigned from her regular post.
Here's the catch: two month into the job and she began to doubt her decision: her "boss" started demanding that she be online 24/7 (the agreement was that she will be online for 9 hrs, during the workhours in Canada). When she asked for her first month salary (the boss promised double of her salary from her last employer), the boss started demanding more jobs to be delivered without committing anything as to when her salary will be paid. Later on her boss became very difficult to contact, and then he stopped communicating with her altogether. After three months she realized she has been duped.
The sad part is, she already lost her permanent job that offered security, she traded it for a deal that didn't offer any visible advantage on her part. She was scammed.
Would give up your regular job for a work-at-home job?
5 people like this
14 responses
@AznBombr1022 (76)
• United States
9 Aug 09
if i have a job right now i would also do the work at home thing. if the work at home does work and i do get paid maybe i would think about quiting only if the home thing works. not all work at home thing online is real some is bs i try look online for that dont find any that sounds real to me.
1 person likes this
@doggyhouz (548)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Keep up the good work. Working online is a very good luxury, lots of people in this world still hasn't figured out how to make lots of money as a worker online. Verses being the owner and hiring people to generate revenue. I too hope one day I can design something I can own and also generate money too. Then I would move to China and live like a moderate King there.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Hi Azn,
That's the best thing to do I agree. Having a regular job and part-time on-line job simultaneously will give you the the best earning opportunity. You're right, there are more scams than legit online jobs and if you're not very careful, you might fall victim to scammers who are just too willing to take advantage of your naivette.
1 person likes this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
8 Aug 09
If I could find a legitimate work from home job that paid as well with as many hours as my job currently, would jump at the chance.
I would not, however, quit a secure job to take an internet job that I don't know if it would ever pay me or not.
1 person likes this
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Hi Nonersays,
I agree with you in every point. That would be a really good deal - a legitimate online job that pays well. But one has to be very cautious before going into it full time. Quitting a secured job for an unsure one just doesn't qualify as sound decision. Have a good day!
@red_amethyst (3518)
• Philippines
28 Sep 09
Hello doryvien,
If I will have the chance to work at home, through online jobs, I would surely accept it. But first I have to make sure that the site or the employer is legitimate. I long to have a work at home so I can have more time with my kid. But so far, with my part time earnings I can't just leave my day job. I am happy with my earnings right now because it helps me with my bills.
have fun earnings.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
30 Sep 09
Hi red_amethyst,
I agree with you, if ever I will embark on a full-time online job, I'll make sure the company is legit, and the pay is enough to write off all the bills and have some extra. I'd like to see the day when I can be with my kids day in and day out and at the same time earn a decent income. I hope it will happen. Thanks for responding.
@bookreadermom08 (5614)
• United States
8 Aug 09
I would love to work at home, online, with a steady income...of course I am only looking for part time work since I am a full time mom and housewife --so anything extra I bring in is good. If I still worked in the office field, outside the house, I dont know if I would leave it with out more knowledge and if my life was based on my income I wouldnt give that up without knowing what was in store.
That is sad for her, but she did take that chance --it just didnt work out for her. I believe there are jobs out there that can work out well --you just have to have more knowledge of either the company or if you choose to work for yourself.
Now that I have been out of the work force for over 7 yrs --I dont think I could go back without giving myself a try at working at home and on my own... I am so use to having my hours my own, my kids are with me constantly and I am not missing anything of their lives or school events. I wish more offices gave the opportunity to work at home.
Happy mylotting.
@bookreadermom08 (5614)
• United States
1 Sep 09
thanks for the BR!!!!!
well its not like we can really afford it, which is why I am now looking online to find ways to make extra money... I got laid off after 9/11/2001 and our economy went downhill here in Michigan (the worst unemployment rate ever in the history of Michigan) so going back to work was very difficult then I became pregnant...so hubby said since I was already not working, I might as well stay at home... things get tight, but I wouldnt give up the time I have had with my son(6)..and now the time with my daughter(19 mos)..... life sure is different!! 
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Hi bookreadermom,
I think all moms would want to have a job that pays well but at the same time allows them to work from home and not leave the family everyday. I dream of this too. I actually envy those who can afford to do it, because at this point in time, I can't. But if I do lose my job (lay offs are everywhere) I would jump into the online industry full time as well. This girl had ajob, a secured one at that, it makes the picture a whole lot different. You're right, she the chance, but it didn't work out. And it had hurt her big time. Have a good day. Peace
@doggyhouz (548)
• United States
9 Aug 09
I can only imagine how great that would be to be able to stay home all day. Also you can do other things while working that may help feel more relaxed work enviornment. Although I would feel as if I was expendable. I would also like to be able to have some breaks still while at home.
It reminds me of the Simpsons episode when Homer was able to work at home. Then he creates a disaster at the power planet. It was a funny episode.
I do wish I can work at home.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
10 Aug 09
Oh yes, it will be really great to be at home all day, not leave home and earn so much to support my family. Maybe this can be true for some, those who know the ins and outs of earning without being scammed on the net, and can aggressively market himself thru the online jobs available. But I guess this is not the thing for everybody, it takes a special talent to be really successful on the wide wide web. Thanks for dropping by.
I think i would like to work on online earning to be a regular job but i have negative about them a lot.I think they can flee me anytime when i want to get their money.@doryvien (2284)
• United States
13 Aug 09
Hi busky,I'd have second thoughts too, specially now that there are a lot of scams going on in the internet. That's without saying that there are good sites too where we can earn money from, but then again, it's difficult to know which ones are genuine and which are not. And those that are not legit just run off with our hard earned money. Guess the name of the game is to be wise and cautious. Thanks for dropping by .
.
@GardenGerty (157627)
• United States
9 Aug 09
Yes, but my job is not that high paying. I have a goal to be earning enough online within two years to quit, because I want more time with my husband. I would like to work my job part time, not salaried, and not in management. I say this because yesterday was my day off, and I worked half the day. Tomorrow is my day off and I will work the whole shift. Of course, this is not the norm, but if I am the manager, it is my obligation to do so.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
8 Aug 09
Hi. I will never exchange my regular job with an online job even though the income will be higher than what I presently receives. I started working with a private company and had worked for 14 with 3 companies. I was secured then but never lasted, competitions get tougher for them so people came and gone, retrenchments, etc. I now work with the government so the best secutiry I have now. Though salary is not that good, I will not leave the service in exchange of an online job, even if it will let me work at home. We can never know what will happen with online businesses but the state will never close their business for the people.
PEACE!!!
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Hi Neil,
So you're one of the lucky ones who work in the government. Good for you because you have the security of tenure and that should make you extremely happy 
. Many are still waiting for the next announcements if they will be the next to be laid off.
I share your sentiments - I will not give up my regular job for an online job even if it pays better because most of them if not all, are only good while they last, some stay longer, some fade too soon, but either way, only one thing is sure - they are all temporary.
. Many are still waiting for the next announcements if they will be the next to be laid off.
I share your sentiments - I will not give up my regular job for an online job even if it pays better because most of them if not all, are only good while they last, some stay longer, some fade too soon, but either way, only one thing is sure - they are all temporary.
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Hi Dory. I think before I would have done that, I would have done some background checking on the company. Scams like these become more and more prevelant, and giving up a sure thing would be hard in these economic times.
I do work online from my home, but for myself, not another.
Karen@doryvien (2284)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Hi PeacefulWmn,
Yes indeed, that would have been the most sensible thing to do before accepting the offer - do some background checking. A pity she didn't do her homework, now she lost a "fortune".
Considering that she took the plunge into the internet industry, I expected her to be at least aware of what's happening here, scams are written all over the web pages, how couldn't she have known?
Maybe if I don't have a job, I would accept the offer, there's nothing to lose and a lot to gain granting that it's not a scam. I myself enjoy my online activities so much, and I must admit the money that goes with it motivates me more to stay here. But having a regular job just changes the whole scenario. As you said, giving up a sure thing is hard, and I agree. It should take a lot thinking before even considering it.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
8 Aug 09
Never, Never, Never. If that is what I wanted to do than I would do both jobs until I truly had proof that the work at home job was legimate. Meaning gettting paid and able to pay the bills. This is crazy and I do truly feel sorry for her especially being so naive.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Yes I feel sorry for her too. Imagine giving up your job that pays well for another that you didn't even have a contract? Granting that there was a contract, she hasn't even seen her employer! Giving up a job just like that was, well, an unsound decision. Maybe at the time she was blinded by the staggering offer - pay 2x her old salary without leaving home - sounds so good, in fact too good to be true.
@JennyMarie (366)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Although my ultimate goal is to work from home and quit my 9 -4 job. I would not quit that job until my online job was secure and I had began to make money. I also don't think I would work for someone online because like your friend you can be taken advantage of and eventually be in big trouble. I would first have something that earned me money that I had control over and once I was making money to support me if I wanted to add work from someone else I would do that to supplement what I was already making. But today with so many people scamming on the internet I would not rely solely on that for my source of income
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Hi Jenny,
Agree, you've just nailed it! Most of us want to work in the comforts of our home and be with our family day in and day out while earning a good sum of money enough to pay all the bills and still have some extra. The bad news is, an online job with all the perks are hard to find, if ever there are. In the case of the girl, she was easily lured into joining a company she wasn't sure if it indeed existed. She would have been in a better position if she took on the work online without giving up her regular job, and "tested the waters" first taking the plunge. Thanks for sharing.
Most of us want to work in the comforts of our home and be with our family day in and day out while earning a good sum of money enough to pay all the bills and still have some extra. The bad news is, an online job with all the perks are hard to find, if ever there are. In the case of the girl, she was easily lured into joining a company she wasn't sure if it indeed existed. She would have been in a better position if she took on the work online without giving up her regular job, and "tested the waters" first taking the plunge. Thanks for sharing.
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
8 Aug 09
I might do it, but I will first make sure that I would get a good deal and that the employer is not a scammer. I think what she did was really unwise because according to what you said, she only talked to the employer online. To make sure that it's not a scam you must at least be able to talk to the employer personally and even get to visit the company or office of the employer just to make sure that it really exists.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
8 Aug 09
I can never say it any better. There's nothing wrong with making sure that you get the fair share of the deal, in fact it should always be the case when entering into a contract, much less an employment contract. Unfortunately, this girl failed to do just that, and the inevitable happened. I can just say that in doing big decisions, always "look before you leap", better safe than sorry. (oopps, a lot of sayings there ). Seriously, I pity the girl and I wish she was wiser. I can't even hire her because she's over qualified - I only needed someone to fill an entry-level position.
). Seriously, I pity the girl and I wish she was wiser. I can't even hire her because she's over qualified - I only needed someone to fill an entry-level position.
@corrycrystal (1775)
• Malaysia
8 Aug 09
What kind of online job she was offered in the first place, anyway? It must be real hard for her. If there is any legit opportunity working from home, yes, I would take up the offer and accept if, but I must have a legal written appointment contract. It is also wise to check if the company does exist with the Human Resource Ministry/Department because some offers are just too good to be true.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
8 Aug 09
According to her the position offered was Offsite Administrator, offsite probably because the office was in Canada, and she was supposed to do the paperworks right where she lives (our country). It's a real estate company based in Canada. The job was full time, it was part of the (verbal) agreement that's why she resigned from her post. You're right, the least she could have done is check if the company really existed, and maybe investigated on the identity of the supposed-to-be-employer. She gave up a career and a good salary, she should have been more prudent before doing that. Now she's jobless and applying for an entry level position because she needs a real job again.
Yes, if it is legal and you have a contract, maybe it is a good deal, but as you said, it will help if a background check was done first before making a decision.
@ysobelle (202)
• Philippines
8 Aug 09
No i won't give it up. You can still earn money online while working in your regular job. It is nice to meet different people outside like your co-workers, it is nice to render your service to other people like your boss, client etc. It is also a best exercise working outside home. Compensation on regular job is assured, while online job is not 100% sure to be paid.
Happy mylotting !
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
8 Aug 09
Hi Ysobelle,
I agree with you. In these days and time jobs are hard to come by and if you have one and it helps to pay the bills, then it is best to stick with it, until a better one comes along. The girl I talked about thought she had a better job to replace the old one, but it turned out to be a scam. It would have helped her if she tried to investigate first before jumping such a big plunge without knowing how deep or dangerous the water was. I mean there are risks to take and it's better to have a calculated risk than not knowing anything at all. Thanks for responding.
