Part-time remote customer service is the most common way into working from home in the UK: retailers, banks, energy and broadband providers, travel firms and outsourcing contact centres hire home-based advisers for 16 to 30 hours a week, often with evening and weekend shifts. You answer calls, emails or live chat, the employer usually supplies the laptop and headset, and pay starts at the minimum wage – £12.71 an hour at 21+ from April 2026. Here is how the hiring works and how to get through it.
What does a remote customer service adviser do?
You help customers by phone, email, live chat or social media messages: tracking orders, sorting out bills, changing bookings, fixing account problems. Most employers specialise you in one or two channels. It is the role we recommend most often in our guide to part-time and evening work from home because it combines a contract with flexible shifts.
| Channel | What it involves | Suits you if… |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | Back-to-back calls, call handling targets | You are calm and talk clearly |
| Live chat | Two or three chats at once, typed answers | You type fast and like multitasking |
| Email and messages | Written replies to a queue, fewer interruptions | You write well and prefer quiet work |
| Technical support | Guiding customers through devices or software | You enjoy solving technical problems |
What hours and pay can you expect?
- Hours: part-time contracts usually run from 16 to 30 hours a week; evening (to 9 or 10pm) and weekend shifts are common, and rotas may change weekly.
- Pay: at least £12.71 an hour at 21+, £10.85 at 18–20 (April 2026); many employers pay a little more, and some add bonuses for quality scores or unsocial hours.
- Training: typically 2 to 6 weeks at fixed daytime hours, paid, before you move to your normal rota.
- Holiday: 5.6 weeks a year pro rata, like any employee.
What equipment and space do you need?
- A private room where customers’ details cannot be overheard or seen – shared spaces are often not accepted.
- Wired broadband – many employers set a minimum speed and ask for a cable connection to the router.
- Kit: larger employers send a laptop, headset and sometimes a monitor; never pay a company for equipment.
- Costs: the £6-a-week tax relief for working from home ended in April 2026, but your employer can still pay a tax-free home-working allowance – ask.
How does the hiring process work?
- Online applicationA short form and CV. Mention any customer-facing work – retail, hospitality, caring, volunteering – and your home set-up.
- AssessmentsTyping speed, a short situational judgement test and sometimes a broadband speed check.
- Video or phone interviewExpect a role-play with an unhappy customer. Listen, apologise, explain what you will do, confirm the outcome.
- Offer and checksRight-to-work check, references and, for finance roles, a credit or criminal record check.
Where do you find part-time remote customer service jobs?
Start with Careertela’s customer service jobs and part-time jobs, the government’s Find a job service, and the careers pages of retailers, banks, energy companies and outsourcing contact centres. Search for “home based customer service advisor part time” or “remote live chat advisor”.
Scam check: real customer service employers interview you by phone or video, send a contract and pay through payroll. Offers by WhatsApp, “training fees” or equipment cheques you must pass on are scams – see the scam checklist.
Questions about part-time remote customer service jobs
Can I get a remote customer service job with no experience?
Yes. It is one of the most common entry-level remote roles; employers train you. Show customer-facing experience from any job or volunteering.
Do I need my own computer?
Larger employers usually supply a laptop and headset. Some smaller ones ask you to use your own computer with a minimum specification.
Are there part-time remote customer service jobs in the UK with evening hours?
Yes – many contact centres run until 9 or 10pm and at weekends, and part-time contracts often cover those shifts.
How much do remote customer service jobs pay?
At least the minimum wage for your age – £12.71 an hour at 21+ from April 2026 – and often a little more.
More on this route: the main guide covers the whole topic – part-time and evening work.
