WORK FROM HOME ... CONS?

[user1483875094]

Hello! Mumsnet Jobs team here. We've noticed this thread is fairly old now, and some of the information is out of date. We've put together this article of advice, tips and tricks to start working from home. Alternatively, you can look at the work from home opportunities on Mumsnet Jobs. We hope this is helpful!

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Hello everyone, I was wondering if anybody could help me?

I have spent some time, trying to find a "genuine" work from home situation, and have drawn a blank, everything I look at seems to be a bit of a "con". Do any of you lovely other mums out there have any "genuine" work at home ideas which you have been involved with? I would be so, so grateful for any advice, or tips?

Thank you so much. Sheila. xx

[StealthPolarBear]

Not sure if this is an option bit some desk based jobs wpuld be happy for you to wfh most of the time

[IntendedParent]

I work in healthcare service management but work remotely from home - it can get a little lonely and lots of distractions. You have to be careful not too eat constantly haha

[user1483875094]

Hi and thanks so much for your very positive reply ! where do I go from here?

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

That'll be a MLM OP^
Don't do it before reading up on it, I'll find you some links.

[Trills]

What is your situation?

What is it about working from home that appeals to you?

Is it just not having to commute, or do you also need to be able to be fully flexible in which hours you work (no scheduled phone calls/meetings, for example?).

[LunaLoveg00d]

I work from home, for myself in a rolw which does not involve spamming my friends about an "amazing opportunity" on social media. Avoid the pyramid schemes multi level marketing.

User - nobody can advise you as you have given nothing to go on. We don't know what skill or experience you have. There is work out there, but there's no point suggesting you train as a childminder if you can't stand kids, or look for work as a freelance graphic designer if you're not arty.

[HeavenlyEyes]

I work from home doing a customer service role, salaried with a legit firm. There are jobs out there. Avoid Arise like the plague though is my advice.

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

Sorry OP didn't mean to be so blunt had to dash off! I work from home as a travel agent but that's not something you could do without experience. I know there are a few companies who have customer care homeworkers but generally shifts with evenings and weekends.

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

You might want to read this before looking at 'marketing opportunities' with free make up

[[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/2815723-dh-and-younique?pg=1&order=

[chugnut]

Profit Accumulator Matched Betting- there's a video that explains it here: www.profitaccumulator.co.uk/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=5979
(It's an affiliate link or google matched betting)

[HeavenlyEyes]

matched betting is ok but not really a long term, reliable income. Is much harder to earn well now compared to how it used to be.

[ScuttlbuttHarpy]

I think your better off looking on job sites etc for work from home telephone jobs. Mlms pay little if anything for a lot of time spent, (I also know of a few that recommend you buy a business in a box for extortionate prices that you cant sell) I personally do Avon for pocket money, but that is literally it, pocket money, and that is down to me having a well established customer base, also I have been at it a while and know how to keep my cash. But like I say it is a lot of work for little pay out. Better off on min wage proper job tbh.

[EssentialHummus]

Well that didn't take long

OP, we need to know more about you and your skills. I'm a solicitor. I now work for myself from home doing a combination of legal drafting, careers advice for young lawyers, and general career support. I work hard but can earn well.

I suggest you go to the Indeed website and look for "home working ", "work from home", "remote" etc to see what's out there.

Generally the AMAZING OPPORTUNITY, spend more time with the kids, exciting opportunity, network marketing stuff is a dodgy MLM. To the PP who mentioned such a thing: post the details here so we can all have a look.

[user1483875094]

Thanks everyone, and on several peoples' advice, this is what I can do.
I am extremely fast at typing accurately, and proof-reading. Have very strong customer service skills, and a very good telephone manner. I can do book-keeping and use spreadsheets, outlook, microsoft packages, etc. Office admin, and used to be in sales, but prefer not to any longer.

Thank you all, you have been brilliant!

[EssentialHummus]

Audio transcription? Good use of your typing skills.

[WicketWoo]

Hi user

I work for a large accounting firm and we employ VAs (virtual assistants) who work from home. Your skills sound perfect for such a role.

[AndNoneForGretchenWieners]

I work from home when I'm not travelling to work in Whitehall. I'm a civil servant. There are lots of roles in the CS that can be done from home but with some travel. I have to travel mainly because I'm a union rep as well and spent half of my working life on union business. My day job doesn't involve so much travel and could be based 80% of the time at home.

[KERALA1]

Doing what you did before but independently seems to work better than starting afresh or mlm "opportunities"

[HeavenlyEyes]

Some legitimate firms which offer work from home work are First Source, Sensee and Enterprise. Paid training, salary, pension.

[Whitegrenache]

Remote e detailing medical sales work from home. Basically ringing doctors and selling drugs (legally!)
Skills would be good telephone manner, inter personal skill and some biology:medical background
Quintiles and Ashfield health do it.

[bloodyteenagers]

If you like your friends and family, don't become a mlm bot. Read the threads on here about the bots. As a main earner? Not a chance regardless of how much the bots try to convince you they make 30k (some might sell 30k of products during their time but fail to mention they get commission from this of about 20%).

Anyway op working from home jobs are also advertised on this site in the job section.

[MrsHaitch]

Check out Sensee recruitment - they offer mainly customer service / call centre opportunities for companies like RAC / Aviva.

You need a dedicated quiet space with a phone line and internet access. You also need to be able to commit to shifts of up to 8 hours (with a break) so no good if you need to be flexible for school runs, or look after kids at the same time as working.

I currently work P/T doing admin and customer service for a small business. It's really flexible but no guaranteed earnings - I just do the work that's there based on volume of business, and invoice her p/h that I work.

Cons are that it's not particularly well paid (Living Wage), can be quite isolated as I only really converse over email, and no perks in terms of career progression / pension / healthcare etc.

However it's served me well for the last 2 years while my kids have been small - I've been able to do school runs, toddler group, school assemblies etc, and not had to lose money if one has been off sick or there's a school inset day etc. Can also still work through school holidays without loss of income to cover childcare.