When people work from home they have
two primary options. The first option is freelancing and the other option is
telecommuting. A higher percentage of work from home people is freelancing.
Freelancers are not employees, but
some freelancing projects might require some freelancers work as self-employed
employees for a particular period of time. Once the projects are completed the
freelancers look for other projects. Telecommuting is a work arrangement set up
with your existing employer or a new employer that allows you to work remotely
from your home.
You are hired on a permanent or
contract basis by an employer or company when you are telecommuting. You enjoy
all or most of the employment benefits if not defined otherwise by your
employer when you are working from home as a telecommuter.
Freelancing for Work from Home Jobs
There are two categories of people
who work from home for more freedom and flexibility. Freelancing is a great way
of life for people who enjoy working from the comfort of their home or anywhere
they like really.
Freelance workers do not work for a
single company forever. They work for several employers or companies as
self-employed freelance consultants or contractors on simple projects. The
advancement of technologies means you can work from anywhere and anytime you
want to, to your own schedules as a freelance.
Telecommuting for Work from Home Jobs
Telecommuting is a very popular way
of employment, and generally beneficial for both employers and employees. The
concept of telecommuting is same as freelancing when it comes to working from
home. But unlike freelancers, telecommuters are employees who are hired
permanently or on contractual basis and given all or some employment benefits
if not set otherwise by the companies.
You do not have to live in the same
town, city, etc necessarily to be able to telecommute as many companies use
telecommuting concept or method to hire employees from overseas.
What Are Differences?
There are many differences between
freelancing and telecommuting. Although both freelancers and telecommuters
perform their jobs or tasks from home, they have different approaches. For
example, a telecommuter may need to report his or her progress of work every
day or from time to time to their employers.
A freelancer is largely independent
when it comes to how to go about the jobs or tasks they are entrusted with.
Typically, a freelancer uses his or her own tools and other resources to
complete a job or task, whereas, a telecommuter may use his or her own tools or
resources provided by their companies.
The ways both freelancers and
telecommuters work from home are determined by the nature of the jobs or
projects and the instructions they receive from their employers or clients.
Freelancers typically work for many
different individual clients or customers, while telecommuters work a single
company or employer. Many telecommuters are hired on part-time basis,
permanently or contract basis. Freelancers are their own bosses and choose to
work according to their own schedules.
When taking on a job or project, a
freelancer is expected to deliver the work within a specified time but they are
generally independent when it comes to how and when they want to work.
Freelancers pay their own taxes but telecommuters work for others and their
taxes are deducted from their paychecks.
But if you are telecommuting for an
overseas company that is located in a different country, you may be required to
pay taxes when you receive the paycheck or salary to the tax authority or
department responsible for collecting taxes in your country.