According to the latest data, approximately 50 per cent of the workforce in the UK currently works from home. In the future, this number is expected to rise, too, especially as more companies begin to understand the benefits of remote work (cost savings, increased staff retention, improved morale, environmental support, etc.).
Another great thing about remote work is the fact that it allows more people to participate in the workforce. For example, remote job opportunities allow students, homemakers and stay-at-home mums, and people with disabilities to enjoy more flexible schedules and work setups that accommodate them and their lifestyles.
Are you interested in finding a work-from-home job in the UK? Are you unsure of where to look or what kind of jobs to apply for? Our guide will teach you everything you need to know.
Why Get a Work from Home Job in the UK?
Some people are enthralled by the idea of working remotely, but there are plenty of others who are sceptical about it. Perhaps they’re convinced they can only be productive in an office setting, or maybe they like seeing their coworkers every day.
If you’ve been on the fence about working from home, here are some benefits and drawbacks to keep in mind so you can make the best decision for yourself and your needs.
Benefits of a Work from Home Job in the UK
There are lots of reasons to consider working from home in the UK, including the following:
No Commute
The average commute to and from the office in the UK takes about 59 minutes. That’s just under 2 hours that you’re spending just travelling to work and back again. What could you accomplish in your day if you eliminated that commute time?
When you work from home, your commute consists of walking from the kitchen to your home office. Even if you live in a massive house, that’s still only a couple of minutes, which leaves you plenty of extra time to do other things that matter to you.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Working from home is good for the environment, too. When you don’t have to worry about commuting, you not only save time, but you reduce your carbon footprint at the same time by lessening the amount of fuel you use and the emissions you release into the air.
Flexibility
You can’t beat the flexibility of working from home. Although some remote jobs do require employees to work a set schedule (this is common with work from home customer service jobs and some work from home admin jobs), many allow you to work whenever you’re most productive.
This is a great benefit for those who struggle with a traditional 9-5 work schedule. For example, if you prefer to work early in the morning so you can wrap up your day earlier, many remote jobs allow for this. The same is true for those who like to start working later in the day and finish in the evening.
Comfort and Accessibility
Work-from-home jobs often allow for more comfort during the workday, too. You don’t have to sit in an uncomfortable office chair for hours at a time. Instead, you can set up a workspace that is comfortable for you and helps you to be as productive as possible.
Remote work also creates more accessibility opportunities for those who have disabilities. Working from home eliminates a lot of the limitations that can hold people with disabilities back in the workplace and allows them to earn a living in a way that works best for them.
Less Micromanaging
If you hate having a supervisor or manager breathing down your neck while you work, working from home is a great option.
Generally, you have a lot more freedom when you work from home. This is a major bonus for those who value their independence and want to feel that their bosses trust them to do their jobs correctly.
Fewer Interruptions from Coworkers
In addition to less micromanaging from higher-ups, you also have to deal with fewer interruptions from coworkers when you work from home.
As a remote worker, you don’t have to worry about Sharon from accounting stopping by your desk to chat every morning (although you may need to turn off your chat notifications so she can’t inundate you with messages throughout the day). This means you have more time to focus on your job and can be more productive.
Disadvantages of a Work from Home Job in the UK
While there are plenty of pros to working from home, there are a few cons to consider as well, including these:
Difficulty Maintaining Work-Life Balance
Some people find that they struggle (particularly in the beginning) with maintaining a sense of work-life balance when they start working remotely. Sometimes, when you can work anywhere and at any time, sometimes, you end up working everywhere and all the time.
When you work from home, it’s important to have a set schedule and clear boundaries for when you work and don’t work. This can be hard to implement at first, but if you do it, you’ll have a much easier time enjoying the benefits that remote work has to offer.
Less Organic Movement
Many people find that, when they start working from home, they’re naturally more sedentary than they are when working in an office.
Even though office jobs are notorious for keeping people desk-locked for most of the day, they still tend to include more organic movement than remote jobs. You have to walk from the car park to the building and from the breakroom to your desk.
All those steps add up throughout the day. When you work from home, on the other hand, your commute is much shorter, and you may find that you’re walking less than you were previously.
More Interruptions from Pets and Family
You may not have interruptions from coworkers and supervisors, but you might have to deal with interruptions from your family members or your pets who are happy to have you home during the day.
If you’re going to work from home and want to be successful, it’s important to establish boundaries with your family, not just with yourself. Let them know when you’re working and when you’re not, and tell them that you need to be left alone during those hours. You may need to shut your pets out of your home office, too, to further minimize distractions.
How to Find a Work from Home Job in the UK?
Lots of people want to work from home in the UK, but they also have questions about how to find remote jobs. If you’re not sure where to look to find remote work, here are some suggestions to help you get started:
Use the GrabJobs Recruitment Platform
GrabJobs recruitment platform simplifies the job search process and makes it easier and more convenient than ever for you to find work from home jobs in the UK. With the system’s intelligent chatbot feature, you’re able to find jobs that align with your skills, experience, salary needs, and other requirements in no time.
GrabJobs also offers customized career alerts to keep you informed about new jobs in your area, and the platform features a robust library of career resources to help you sharpen your skills, nail job interviews, and get hired right away.
Network Online
Online networking, through social media and, specifically, sites like LinkedIn, is one of the best ways to find out about work-from-home opportunities that are a good fit for you. Your friends and family members (or their friends and family members) may know of opportunities that aren’t on your radar, and they can help to connect you to the right people who can get you in for an interview.
Update Your Resume and Portfolio
Make sure you update your resume or CV and portfolio (if applicable) before you start sending out applications or getting in touch with recruitment agencies.
An out-of-date resume or CV or a portfolio full of work from several years ago will be less impressive to potential employers. They can also make it harder for you to get hired.
Read Listings Carefully
As the market for work from home jobs continues to grow, there will also be an increase in the number of people trying to take advantage of applicants.
When you come across a listing for a work-from-home job that seems promising, be sure to read it with care. This can help you to avoid applying for jobs that aren’t a good fit or ones that aren’t legitimate.
When reading listings, be wary of ones that are vague or that don’t include a lot of specific information about the job. It’s fine for an employer to highlight the perks of working for their company, but if the listing sounds too good to be true, there’s a possibility it is.
Review the email addresses attached to the listings before responding, too.
Check the email that’s included in the listing, then look up the company online and compare the email addresses listed on the website. This can help you avoid sending messages to someone whos only pretending to work for the company for which you want to apply.
Best Work from Home Jobs in the UK
There are tons of work from home opportunities available throughout the UK — so many, in fact, that it can be hard to sift through them all and choose the one that’s the best fit for you.
This list breaks down the top jobs in a variety of industries and categories and can give you some good work-from-home ideas. Use it to help you find options that work best for you, your skills, and your lifestyle.
Best Part-Time Work from Home Jobs in the UK
If you’re looking for part-time work from home jobs in the UK, several flexible options still offer good wages and opportunities for growth. Here are some of the best ones to consider:
- Survey Taker: Survey takers sign up to work through sites like OnePoll and receive points in exchange for completing various surveys. These points can be exchanged for gift cards to Amazon or PayPal vouchers.
- Freelance Writer: Freelance writers work for various businesses helping to create and edit blog posts, website copy, and other types of written content. They can also work on larger projects, such as ghostwriting books.
- Transcriptionist: Transcriptionists transcribe audio files into written documents. They often work on a per-project basis and can set the hours that work best with their schedule.
Best Work From Home Jobs for Mums in the UK
There are lots of work from home jobs for mums in the UK, too. If you want a job that provides flexibility and gives you time to spend with your kids while also earning some extra cash, here are some good ones to apply for:
- Social media strategist: As a social media strategist, you’ll work with businesses to create and post social media content, respond to comments and messages, and collaborate with influencers. This is a great work-from-home job for mums, particularly those who are already social media-savvy.
- Childcare provider: Mums who are already caring for their own kids may want to earn extra money by working as a childcare provider and watching other people’s kids in their own homes.
- Bookkeeper: Bookkeeping is a good remote work option for mums who have previous experience in accounting, finance, or a related field. It allows them to keep these skills sharp in a lower-stress setting.
Best Work From Home Jobs for Students in the UK
An online work-from-home job is a great choice for students who need to earn extra money but also need a lot of flexibility. The following are some of the top online work from home job options:
- Online tutor: As a university student, you have a lot of knowledge to pass down to secondary school students who are hoping to get into university one day. Why not use that knowledge to earn extra income?
- Website tester: Website testers get paid to try out various websites and evaluate their performance. Many website testing sites pay via PayPal or with Amazon vouchers.
- Web developer: If you’re a computer science student or have previous coding experience, you may be able to find freelance work as a web developer.
Best Admin and Data Entry Work From Home Jobs in the UK
A lot of people in the UK with data entry jobs work from home, and there are also lots of work from home admin jobs for people with good organizational and communication skills. Here are a few examples to consider:
- Virtual assistant: Virtual assistants handle administrative work for professionals of all kinds. This includes appointment setting, distributing and collecting contracts, organising files, and more.
- Data entry specialist: Data entry specialists transfer information from various files (including audio files in some cases) and centralise it in one database.
- Project coordinator: Project coordinators work with project managers to handle various administrative tasks and ensure projects run smoothly.
Best Creative Work From Home Jobs in the UK
Work from home jobs don’t have to be boring or repetitive. There are lots of creative work from home jobs in the UK, including these:
- Graphic designer: Graphic designers assist with logo design, social media graphic design, package design for various products, and more. As long as they have access to the proper programs, they can work just as well from home as they can in an office.
- Website designer: Website designers help businesses improve the appearance of their websites and ensure they look good and function properly.
- Craft sales: If you knit, sew, crochet, or make other types of crafts, perhaps you can sell them on sites like Etsy to earn extra money. As your shop gains popularity, you may find that you can make a full-time living selling the projects you love to make.
Best Work from Home Customer Service Jobs in the UK
You can also find lots of work from home customer service jobs in the UK and throughout the world. The following are some of the best options to consider:
- Customer service representative: Remote customer service representatives answer phone calls and respond to emails from customers. They sometimes respond to social media comments and messages, too.
- Multilingual customer service representative: If you speak more than one language, you may be able to find even more lucrative work from home customer service jobs in the UK and beyond.
- Technical support specialist: Technical support specialists assist specifically with issues related to computers, computer programs, and other electronic systems. They often support customers remotely via phone or email.
Find a Work from Home Job in the UK Today
If you’ve been feeling daunted while trying to find remote work from home jobs in the UK, hopefully, this guide can point you in the right direction. Keep the work from home ideas listed above in mind as you begin your job search. This will help you find opportunities and get hired much faster.
Don’t forget to check out GrabJobs’s recruitment platform, too. We make it easier than ever for you to find and apply for work-from-home opportunities in your area.
