Working at home for Parkinson's UK
If you're thinking about applying for one of our home-based
jobs, the information below will help you find out what home
working with us entails.
About two thirds of our roles are home-based, with office
facilities set up within staff members' homes.
Image right: Matthew, one of our information and support
workers
Benefits and disadvantages of working from home
What are the benefits to the charity of employing staff who
work from home?
Through our staff who work from home, we are able to provide
local information, support and education across the UK.
We can also provide other services to people with Parkinson's, their families and carers, our
local groups, and healthcare professionals in your area.
This enables us to work effectively, listen to local needs and
deliver our support accordingly.
What are the benefits to me if I were successful in my
application for a home-based position with the charity?
Our staff members who are home-based tell us that there are a
number of positive reasons for working from home. These
include:
Work life balance
Your work is, quite literally, on your doorstep. This means that
at either end of your day you can arrive at work and be home in
minutes!
Staff members who are home-based tell us that positive reasons for working from home include a good work life balance, and time and money saved on travelling.
Cost
You can save time travelling. And you'll have no commuting
costs, which for some people can be thousands of pounds every
year.
Flexibility
You will have a degree of flexibility in planning your working
week (apart from cases where your attendance may be required, for
example at team meetings, local group meetings, etc) within the
boundaries of your weekly contracted hours.
Over time we have improved practical arrangements, support and
communication with our home-based staff. We now provide as much
support as we can to make working life as easy as possible.
Read more about other benefits of
working for Parkinson's UK.
Are there are any disadvantages of working from home?
We're aware that there can also be some disadvantages to working
from home:
- You may potentially feeling that you are remote from your
regional/national colleagues, or your line manager, or the
organisation generally.
- Some people find working from home isolating.
- You may feel that practical problems, for example not enough
space, or not enough quiet/private time, make it difficult to
be able to work or concentrate at home.
Equipment and facilities
Do I have to provide any equipment if I work from home?
No, we will provide you with all of the necessary equipment.
We'll provide all of the necessary equipment for you to work from home. Certain roles have the option of using a lease car.
How much space will this take up in my home?
Whilst we offer the equipment to allow you to work at home, it's
your responsibility to make sure that you have the space and
the quiet time to carry out the role.
Do you provide lease cars or a cash equivalent?
Certain roles do have the option of being provided with a lease
car or choosing to use your own car.
I already have a computer and a desk. Can I just use my
own?
If you have your own desk, chair or filing cupboard which you
would prefer to use, then you may be able do so.
However, we do have an obligation to ensure as part of our
health and safety procedures that they meet appropriate legislation
and policy requirements.
Salary, tax and insurance
What about home insurance?
We would advise you to contact your home insurers to notify them
that you are going to be working from home.
Do you pay any additional allowance for working from home?
No. Our salaries are as advertised for the role and there are no
additional payments.
Do I have to pay more tax if I work from home?
No. In fact, you may be entitled to a small tax allowance for
working from home.
You'll need to contact the Inland Revenue directly once you are
in post with us, and notify them of your circumstances.
Working hours/pattern
When does my working day start if I’m based at home?
With a generally agreed pattern of work, if you are home-based
your working day starts either at the point you start working in
your office (ie logging on to your computer and telephone) or when
you leave your home to attend a meeting, visit a client, etc.
We operate a flexi-time scheme, which offers you a degree of
flexibility in your start and finish times.
In this section
Any questions?
If you have any questions about working from home, or about our
vacancies, please email recruit@parkinsons.org.uk or
call our recruitment officer on 020 7932 1310.
Take a look at our current
vacancies.
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