Shift Requirements for Work from Home Call Center Agents

The hours work-from-home call center agents are expected to be available to work can vary from one company to another. Whether an agent is an independent contractor or employee will also affect an employer's shift requirements.

Typically, independent contractors can find opportunities that offer far more flexible schedules. In fact, most independent contractors will expect employers to offer flexible shift scheduling and will often turn down opportunities that require strict pre-arranged schedules. One of the primary benefits of working as an independent contractor is the flexibility it offers. Independent contractors give up health benefits, retirement plans, vacation time, sick time and many other benefits in lieu of flexibility. When flexibility is not available, there is little incentive to accept that position.

Independent contractors typically have the ability to set their schedules independently, picking the individual shifts that meet their daily lives. Some companies allow independent contractor call center agents to select their shifts in increments as small as half an hour. If a shift needs to be canceled, independent contractors can often drop a shift with just twenty-four hours notice before they are scheduled to work. Independent contractors can select shifts as they want them and can work a variety of random hours throughout the day and night depending on their personal needs.

In contrast, work-from-home call center agents who are employees of the company that hires them will most likely be required to maintain strict schedule adherence to pre-arranged shifts. Generally, dropping a shift is not an option. Employee agents are usually required to find another agent to cover for them if they need to cancel a shift. Furthermore, employee agents will usually be assigned to work in large blocks of time. For example, while an independent contractor might be able to pick up an hour long shift here or there throughout the week, an employee could be required to work a four hour shift five days a week. Of course, this is just an example and not a guideline, but it illustrates the difference in demands between shift requirements of work-from-home call center agents who are independent contractors versus employees.

Many companies that hire independent contractors to work-from-home as call center agents offer those agents the ultimate in flexible scheduling. This is a valuable perk to many people, and they will give up other benefits for that flexibility. However, for people who want to work from home but want a permanent weekly schedule which guarantees them a certain income, being an employee is more desireable. Individuals who seek a work-from-home call center position should determine what is most important to them prior to applying with a company to be an agent. It is critical that prospective agents understand what a company offers and confirms the opportunity matches their needs so there are no surprises to them when they are further along in the hiring process.

To learn more about the differences between being an independent contractor versus an employee as a work from home call center agent, visit my article, Employee vs. Independent Contractor: How Does Employment Status Affect Your Pay When You Work from Home?