What does flexibility look like for you?

As a working parent, there are so many things in the school calendar at this time of year that make you feel like you’re being pulled in a million directions….sports days, assemblies, gifts for teachers, not to mention the looming 6 weeks holidays!! It’s a lot to balance and it requires a level of flexibility from your employer. What should it feel like to work in a supportive, flexible environment and what to do if you don’t?

  • Your line manager knows you have children and shows an interest – they don’t need to know your child’s favourite food or TV character but knowing that you have a life with this small human outside of work helps to build a healthy relationship in work and will make you feel comfortable bringing your whole self to work.
  • Your line manager recognises that there will be times that you have to prioritise your family over your work life. That doesn’t mean you are a less engaged employee when you are in work, you just have another, equally important job to do outside of work. Being there at your child’s sports day, or assembly is important.
  • Your employer is sympathetic in emergency situations. All children get ill from time to time, a supportive line manger will understand and give you flexibility to prioritise being with your child when they need you and understand that you will make up any lost hours or work.
  • Your employer will have in place supportive family friendly policies, around maternity, paternity and shared parental leave and flexible working.
  • Your employer will ideally have a parent network group who provide peer to peer support for parents within the organisation.

 

These things should not be an aspiration. In today’s world, a progressive employer will understand the benefits of happy, healthy and engaged employees. Form April 2024, the right to request flexible working became a day 1 right. Research from the CIPD shows that 40% of employers have seen an increase in flexible working requests over the past year and a growing number of employers (66% up from 56% the year before) believe it’s important to offer flexible working when advertising roles.

If you’re not receiving this kind of flexibility from your employer, maybe it’s time to advocate for change. Be open with your line manager about your family and your commitments outside of work. Contact your HR department to understand the policies in place to support parents. Perhaps you could be the one to set up a parent network if one doesn’t yet exist? And if your employer is not receptive to any of this, well maybe it’s time to consider your next career move, one that means you are working in the flexible, supportive environment that you and your family deserve.

This article was written by  Nicola Miles a Career & Life coach, and one of our partner coaches who supports mums to overcome the challenges of returning to work after maternity leave, in order to thrive as a working parent.  Connect with  Nicola to find out how she can help you navigate your return to work. 

July 26, 2024