These Companies Have Side Gigs That May Be Great for People With Chronic Illnesses or Disabilities
Between doctor appointments, unpredictable symptoms and physical accommodations, going to a full-time job every day isn’t always feasible if you have a chronic illness or disability. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have useful skills to offer the job market or passions you’d like to explore (and the extra cash wouldn’t hurt either).
Enter the “side gig,” a.k.a. part-time, temporary and/or flexible positions that allow you to earn some extra money without requiring you to commit to the demands of a full-time job. If you’re receiving disability benefits and aren’t able to earn over a certain amount, go through ups and downs with your health, are homebound due to your illness but still want to work a few hours a week, or are looking to beef up your resume while you’re temporarily out of the workforce, a remote side job can be a great option.
To help you in your job search, we’ve identified 11 companies currently hiring remote workers for part-time, freelance, temporary or flexible positions. As the holidays approach, additional companies may also be offering seasonal jobs.
We’ll update this article as more companies announce available telecommuting positions, so make sure to bookmark it for future reference.
1. Alorica
At Alorica, you’ll provide virtual customer service for the company’s clients, which include healthcare, financial, retail and technology businesses. Work-at-home agents make between minimum wage and $10 an hour and are allowed to set their own schedules.
Depending on the position and number of hours worked, you may qualify for medical and dental benefits.
You can search remote offerings here.
2. Appen
If you’re reading this from outside the U.S., check out Appen for flexible, part-time remote positions. Appen partners with other companies to help them develop projects that rely on languages and machine learning. Open jobs include social media content evaluators and web search evaluators based in Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, India, South Korea and more.
FlexJobs named Appen the number one provider of remote jobs in 2017.
You can search remote offerings here by typing “work at home” where it says “Keyword.”
3. Edmentum
Edmentum is an education company that offers online courses and teaching materials, and currently lists 100 open virtual teaching positions across the U.S. Applicants must be certified to teach the subject they’re applying for at the secondary level in the state they live. Subjects include French, English, Spanish, Sciences, Art and more.
Those with experience as classroom teachers may find the part-time, work-from-home schedule to be desirable.
You can search remote, part-time offerings here by selecting “Part Time” from the “Select Schedule” drop-down menu.
4. Hubstaff
Hubstaff provides employee time tracking software that helps companies manage their remote staff members. And Hubstaff itself has always been 100 percent remote and currently employs 30 people around the world. They’re now hiring for positions in marketing, content writing, growth, engineering, customer support and public relations.
Hours are flexible, so you can work whatever time of day is best for you.
You can apply for remote offerings here.
5. Intuit
Intuit operates four websites that help users manage their finances, including Turbo Tax. Remote positions as tax support specialists (assisting customers over the phone) tend to be seasonal — a plus if you don’t want to commit to a position for more than a few months.
Additional opportunities are available for bilingual applicants.
You can search remote offerings here by selecting “USA Remote” from the “Select a Location” drop-down menu. (“UK Remote” and “India Remote” are also options, but there are no offerings listed at this time.)
6. ModSquad
Those who love connecting with others online may enjoy a gig as an online moderator. As a “mod” for ModSquad, you’ll help provide support to brands’ digital presence, including customer support, comment moderation and online engagement. Mods can choose where and when they work, as well as which projects they want to work on. ModSquad also encourages you to “keep your day job” and encourages stay-at-home parents and retirees to apply.
ModSquad clients include the NFL, Beats Music, U.S. Army, Random House, Warner Brothers, Harry Potter and PBS Kids.
Apply for a position as a moderator here.
7. Stitch Fix
Stitch Fix is a subscription clothing company that allows customers to sign up to receive a few items in the mail, chosen by virtual stylists based on the customer’s style preferences. Customers can then decide which items to buy or send back in exchange for new items. The company is hiring stylists to work part-time from home, though they can stay connected to their coworkers through trainings and social events. Stylists also get an employee discount.
Stitch Fix is currently looking for applicants in the following areas: Austin, Cleveland, Dallas, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area.
You can apply for a position as a women’s stylist here.
8. TranscribeMe
There are several transcription companies that pay freelance workers to transcribe audio and video from home. TranscribeMe gives freelancers one- to two-minute clips to transcribe at a time, and workers can request as many clips to transcribe as they like. Payment is $20 per audio hour, with average monthly earnings of $250. Transcribers are required to pass an entrance exam before being hired.
Employees are paid via PayPal and can withdraw their payment once a week.
You can apply for a position as a transcriptionist here.
9. Upwork
On Upwork, you can create a profile and search for freelance opportunities to apply for. You can refine your search to find job postings that fit your availability and expertise, for example, writing projects that will last less than one month and pay hourly. Jobs range from entry-level to expert level and in fields like software development, translation, legal, video production, accounting, and more. Many have no geographic requirement.
As an added layer of safety, you’ll submit time sheets and be paid through Upwork, not directly by your client.
You can search job offerings here.
10. VIPKid
Those with teaching experience may enjoy a gig at VIPKid, an online tutoring company that helps Chinese students learn English. Tutors are recommended to be available for teaching 7.5 hours a week, for a contract term of six months. The job pays at least $14-18 an hour.
Applicants must have at least one year of teaching, tutoring, or mentoring experience and have a computer with a webcam and headset. Classes are one-on-one and teachers are provided with a curriculum to follow.
You can apply for a position as an online teacher here.
11. The Word Point
If you’re fluent in multiple languages, you may be able to turn your skills into a side gig. The Word Point offers translation services for individuals and organizations worldwide, and is currently seeking freelancers who can translate documents, websites, educational materials, audio, and more. Translators go through a certification process before receiving any work.
To apply, you can send your CV to support@thewordpoint.com.
Do you know of companies hiring great remote, part-time positions? Tell us about them in the comments below.
Erin is the former senior editor and chronic illness editor of The Mighty. She joined The Mighty in 2015 and previously worked at Inside Weddings magazine, Mic, and The Huffington Post. She was also the features editor at The California Aggie, UC Davis' student newspaper. She is honored to be a part of the Mighty community!
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