My story: Linda

For 9 years Linda worked as a software architect in the telecoms industry designing and building call centres. The job involved a lengthy daily commute to work. 

However in 2014 Linda was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a condition that affects the body’s collagen, creating joint issues and causing ligaments to tear easily.  Commuting to work became emotionally difficult as well as painful and exhausting.  

A change of lifestyle was required and Linda decided to move to the countryside.  However this made the commute even trickier.  With the country bus service quite unreliable, she turned to cycling but that just added to her stress – worrying all the time about what the weather would be like the next day.

Things improved for Linda when her employer have her the opportunity to work from home. Unfortunately though she was made redundant and started to become really worried about finding another role that would allow her to homework.

In March 2019, Linda came across Sensée and applied for a work from home role on the Bupa account.  When she heard her application was successful, she felt a weight removed from her shoulders. “Not having to stress about commuting has massively helped my physical and mental health” she explains. “and the support I’ve received from my Team Leader and colleagues has been outstanding. I’ve not felt pressured in any way and have never met two companies that are so good, and so understanding, when it comes to mental health.”

“Flexibility is key to why it works for me.  While I work for 30 hours a week I can’t work more than 4 hours at a time because of my joints aching.  So I’ll typically work from 9 till 1, then have a break and work from 2.30 – 4.30.  If I can’t make a planned schedule then there’s nearly always a colleague that can step in who is happy to do a shift swap.  In the future I’d like to move on to do some virtual floor walking duties and longer term to possibly get back into training, and maybe a Deputy Team Leader role.  It’s fantastic that such opportunities exist in a homeworking role.”