Wisconsin State Journal:
You’ve just watched an infomercial for the latest kitchen gadget and rush to the phone to place an order. Chances are that the operator standing by to take your call is actually talking to you from the comfort of his or her own home rather than from a traditional call center.
Known as ‘homeshoring,’ the practice of contracting with people to work from their homes as customer service agents is another sign that technology is changing the way people work.
Kim Connor (photo), 31, is a home agent who takes calls from her Madison home for companies selling everything from appliances, food products, fitness equipment, shoe insoles and other goods through California-based LiveOps.
Originally from Chicago, Connor is a former chemistry teacher who decided not to return to teaching after the birth of her second child. ‘I decided to stay home with my kids, otherwise my whole salary would be liquidated by child care,’ she said.
She overheard 2 women talking about working as home agents as she sat in her pediatrician’s waiting room. The women gave her the LiveOps Web address so she could determine if this was the opportunity she was looking for. The company contracts with 10,000 home agents.
Working as a home agent for the past 2 years has provided Connor the flexibility to make her own schedule, the ability to supplement the family income and to not have to pay for child care.
Subscribe 
