Why do work at home jobs at for a fee before you can work for them?

Because they are scams, plain and simple. It isn't logical to pay someone to give you a job. If you are qualified, you earn it, not pay for it.

No legitimate job would ever ask you for money for anything! They pay you, not the other way around :)

1. Because it is a business not a job.
2. It's an investment not a fee.

Do you know of any traditional business that does not require an investment? Many people are really looking for a job when they look into a home-business. Try looking into a work from home opportunity not a business that you own.

A real at business will require some investment, you buy buildings, stock, pay insurance. You may buy a company.

But you don't pay to get hired by McDonalds, they pay you to work for them.

Most work at home "things" are scams, a few are real but I don't know of real ones that change you to work for them.