Chapter thirty-two
WORKING AT HOME,
AND STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS
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Chapter thirty-twoWORKING AT HOME,
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Note: This is the original text of the chapter in the 1992 book and it has not been updated. Page numbers refer to pages in the book.
Working at home has its attractions. You can be your own boss, and arrange working hours and surroundings just as you like. But there are pitfalls. The right sort of work's not always easy to come by, pay may be poor for very long hours, and legal and financial regulations or family and domestic demands may cause complications. Bear in mind that benefits may be affected if you start earning money, so take advice first (see page 133). It's helpful, though not essential, if you've already got particular skills and experience which can be adapted to homeworking, such as computer skills or accountancy, or an employer who wants to keep your skills and is enlightened enough to see the advantages of 'teleworking'.
What sort of work could you do?
Homeworking possibilities include book-keeping, giving private lessons, coaching, or correspondence course tutoring, typing/word processing, telephone answering service for small businesses, writing, indexing, proof-reading, data preparation, design work, crossword and quiz compiling, writing technical publications. Don't fall for adverts that ask you to send money in return for directories of homeworking or lists of employers. Most are useless and some simply out to make money for nothing.
Unless you're working for an existing employer, you'll have to find customers yourself, through local contacts, firms, newspapers, etc. Some work such as typing, word processing, addressing envelopes, is done on an agency basis and you could try approaching local agencies listed in Yellow Pages or Thomson's Directory. Or if you can offer services such as computerised mailing lists, sorting programmes for catalogues or prospectuses, or database, spreadsheet and book-keeping services, even programming or systems analysis, you could approach small firms direct.
The Market Research Society can provide a list of firms which may need outside help with data preparation (preparing information on returned questionnaires ready for computer processing). Contact the Society of Indexers for advice on becoming an indexer. For information on writing, see page 281.
Teleworking in computers/information technology (IT), is a rapidly expanding area. Firms such as Rank Xerox, ICI, Barclay's Bank, British Airways, and British Telecom use homeworkers with programming or other appropriate skills. With IT, everything's in front of you on one keyboard and without having to move you can communicate with other computers and businesses through special telephone and fax links.
Look back at page 259 and talk to your DRO, who may be able to help with advice, finance and equipment. From jobcentres or RADAR, get leaflet PWD 6 Working at Home with Technology. One YPA was lent a computer and funded, in conjunction with a technical publications company, to do a Software Technical Authorship course at home, leading to the City & Guilds exam in Technical Communications Techniques. This qualified her to work at home writing manuals for computer packages. For information on careers and courses in technical writing try the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators. Getting relevant experience in IT isn't always easy, but there are special projects which may help (ask your DRO) such as OUTSET and ITeC projects, which include experience of working life, basic computer and electronic skills, software training, word processing. You don't need to be particularly good at maths. Being able to think clearly and communicate effectively is more important. Clerical skills may be a good starting-point.
General information for people working at home
The Consumers' Association's very readable Earning Money at Home covers all aspects, from deciding what to do and selling your work to practicalities such as insurance, keeping accounts, tax and VAT. Marianne Gray's Working from Home. 200 Ways to Earn Money (Piatkus) is amusing and full of tips and information. Mary Thompson's Employment for Disabled People (Kogan Page) has chapters on 'Running your own business' (including self-employment at home) and 'Information technology'. Andrew Bibby's Home is Where the Office is (Hodder and Stoughton Headway) is a practical handbook on teleworking.
OwnBase is a nationwide mutual support organisation of home-based workers. Its informative newsletter appears every two months, and there are local groups, a members' contact list, and a mail-order service of books on homeworking.
A Citizens' Advice Bureau may be able to tell you if there's a homeworking association in your area which could offer general advice and help, though not jobs. You could also try the National Homeworking Unit or the Guild of Disabled Homeworkers.
Specially for disabled people, RADAR produces a cheap employment factsheet Working from Home. Remember that your DRO can tell you about special financial and practical assistance available.
For information on legal rights and employment protection legislation for home-based workers, contact the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
Starting your own business
If you're interested in starting your own business, much of chapter 31 will still apply. Other business and enterprise services specially geared to potential self-employers are on offer through your jobcentre. You can also get free advice from the Small Firms Service (Freephone 0800 222 999). They issue several really helpful free information booklets, eg Starting and Running your own Business, Your Guide to Government Help for Small Firms, Accounting for a Small Firm, The Secret of Business Success, Marketing, Selling to Large Firms, Franchising. Local Enterprise Agencies can also help with free advice (071 2533716 for your nearest agency).
There's a whole chapter on 'Training for Self-Employment' in the excellent book Second Chances (page 244), packed with information and addresses, including correspondence courses in starting a business, book-keeping, marketing, etc. The Consumers' Association's book Starting Your Own Business is another very helpful, clearly written guide to all aspects of self-employment. You might also like to look at The Woman's Guide to Starting Your Own Business by Deborah Fowler (Thorsons). A good introduction to the thorny areas of tax and accounting are three leaflets Starting in Business (IR 28), Thinking of Working for Yourself? (IR 57) and Simple Tax Accounts (IR 104), free from your local Tax Enquiry Centre (in the phone book under Inland Revenue).
Specifically to help disabled people set up their own businesses is the 'Business On Your Own Account Scheme' (details from DROs). The Prince's Youth Business Trust is also keen to help disadvantaged people aged between 18 and 25 who opt for self-employment. The Trust can provide grants and low interest loans, plus professional advice and training for at least one year after the business is established.
When YPA Martin* was made redundant after working for 16 years he studied for the City and Guilds Computer Aided Design (CAD) course, and passed with credits. He then took the plunge and started his own business in CAD, offering a planning and design service to small businesses, working from an office in a local business centre. The Enterprise Allowance Scheme gave him professional guidance and back-up, and the Disablement Advisory Service (page 260) provided computer equipment.