To ask, if you work from home, what is it that you do? - Posting for traffic

[LMW1990]

Hi All,

I'm currently looking into options in terms of working from home. I have experience as an audio transcriber but I'd love to know what other options are there and how do I go about applying?

So, do you work from home? If so, what is it that you do? How many hours do you work and is it flexible? What is the pay like? Are you self employed or PAYE?

Many thanks in advance!

IME working from home tends to be something you either end up negotiating from your current employment or you work freelance in a field you have contacts in already.

I am a freelance copyeditor - I used to do the same job in house. I am self employed, work 10-15 hours per week with a few weeks off across the year. Pay is quite good pro rata, about £850 per month for working 40 odd hours. I am lucky though and just happened to have the right experience and the right contacts ie people I have worked with before.

I'm on maternity leave at the moment but in my other life I run my own business as a dog walker, working from home. Before that I worked for a company which linked up online virtual assistants with clients, we had a lot of women who worked from home through us. If you have experience in audio transcription you may find a virtual assistant company might well have an interest in your services.

I write marketing materials & campaigns. My sis-in-law is a virtual PA, and acts as receptionist, administrator & secretary for sole traders.

Both need reliable broadband and good phone signal.

I have been a freelance translator for 10 years now, I work full time from home. I do have a language degree. It's very flexible, which in a good week means I am not working when DC are back from school, but in a bad week it means I am working late into the evening and weekends. But I love the freedom.

I earn about £3K. I have an accountant, I am registered as a sole trader, previously I ran a Ltd company with STBXH (just sharing accountant expenses). I pay tax "on account" twice a year as my tax is above a certain threshold (I think it''s over £1000). I also pay NI Class 2 and 4.

If you are going to work full time, I would suggest that you get an accountant. The last thing you want is nasty tax surprise. Also make sure you get a pension that you pay into (I haven't paid into mine for 10 years, but I finish my student loan repayments this summer, and then I am starting pension payments again).

If you are working part time, you might be able to do your own tax return. There is plenty of advice online. Just make sure that it's worth your effort - for me it wasn't, as I'm rubbish with figures and I needed peace of mind. Besides, my accountant charges half of what I charge.

@katmarie - the VA stuff sounds interesting. I'd be happy to diversify into general admin work also. Would you be able to tell me the name of company at all please?