What’s the difference between working from home and self-employment?
Many people wanting a better work-life balance tend to focus on two key options when weighing up job choices - working from home and self employment.
Each have obvious flexibility gains compared to traditional types of employment but anyone considering making a major change to their working life must be sure they know exactly what they are in for before they do it.
So, what’s the difference between working from home and self-employment?
Someone who does home-based work can remain part of an employer-employee relationship. He or she undertakes work for another person, company or organisation but instead of spending their working hours at a traditional office or business premises for work they carry out their duties at home. They may do this as a casual employee, permanent part-time employee or full-time employee.
Someone who is self-employed gets their income directly from their own work, profession, trade or business and not as a salary from an employer. They may undertake contract work for a number of different sources or run their own business – either from a home office or business premises.
To be self-employed is not the same as being a business owner. A business owner does not necessarily have a hands-on role with the day-to-day operations of his or her company, while a self-employed person does. A business owner can simply be an investor.
A range of employers offer work from home opportunities. Telemarketing, graphic design, sales, administration, occupational therapy, exchange student host family recruitment and finance are among those advertised in various media in recent weeks.
Securing a home-based job involves the same process as finding traditional employment - you look for a job vacancy and apply for it. As long as you have the necessary equipment at home to do the work, you are ready to get started as soon as you have the right job. An ideal place to look for this is at www.workathomemums.com.au
Sometimes an existing employer may offer its staff the option of working from home – especially in circumstances when their personal situation may change. It’s always worthwhile to ask the question of your current employer – in many cases employers would rather retain valued employees by offering more flexible conditions than losing them, their skills and knowledge.
The process of self-employment takes much more planning. Not only do decisions need to be made about what type of self-employment to undertake, there are also a range of government requirements including business registration, taxation, council approval and licencing. A number of websites have practical and comprehensive advice including www.business.com.au and www.smallbiz.nsw.gov.au
Self-employment opportunities are advertised widely but take care to ensure you are reading legitimate offers. Unfortunately some people have been caught by unscrupulous operators of scams.
Rather than look for an advertised opportunity, you may have your own business idea you want to develop which make use of your existing proven skills and knowledge.
The most important thing to remember is: research the flexible employment options which may suit you and find out as much as you can before you act. Getting the preparation and planning right is the way to ensure your journey to a better work-life balance is an unqualified success on all levels.
