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Dreaming of a Flexible Work Arrangement? First You Need a VisionBy Jacqueline Foley author of Flex AppealGiven the many benefits of flexible work, it's not surprising that more and more women are going flex to have more time with their children. But how do you turn your desire for a better work/family balance into a flexible arrangement that is right for you? For starters, you need a vision. In some ways designing your own vision should be like a brainstorming exercise. Brainstorming is the practice of coming up with ideas or solutions to a problem without ruling out any of the possibilities at the beginning. If you really want to create something different, you need to let yourself dream a little. Maybe your dream is to work out of your home so you can pick up your child from school at 3:30 p.m., or so you can drop your baby off at day care at 10:00 a.m. Or maybe you envision going into work three days a week, so that you can sign up for a new mother's group or a music program at the local library on your days off. Below are ten questions to help you design a vision for your new flexible work arrangement. Remember as you're answering each question try not to think about money until the very end. Money is a means to an end. You have to figure out what kind of end you want for yourself first. Ten Questions to Your New Vision #1: What kind of child care do you envision for your child(ren)? Most mothers have a pretty good feel for how they want their children to be cared for. So, the first step is to make sure you're clear about your childcare options and what you're comfortable with. Do you want to be the sole caregiver to your children? Or are you open to other alternatives like daycare, relatives or a babysitter in your home? Knowing your options is key to determining what kind of work schedule if possible for you. #2: What kind of support can you count on from your partner? Your partner's support now and throughout your transition to flexible work will be critical to your long-term success. Make sure you have a frank discussion about how, together, you're going to handle child-care responsibilities once you're working a more flexible schedule. Ask him how much of a role he wants to play - and realistically thinks he can. #3: How much or how little do you want to work? You need to get connected to how important work really is to you. The more you feel drawn to making your child a priority, the less you should probably plan to work. If you're more focused on growing your career, then a slightly reduced or somewhat re-structured workweek might work better for you. #4: What hours would you like to work? Think about what hours of the day and days of the week you want to be available to your children. Try to picture what your "ideal week" would like under your new flexible work arrangement. Don't forget to factor in when you're most productive. #5: Where do you see yourself working? Ask yourself whether you're an office person or a home office person. What's possible in terms of your current business or job is important too. An office environment is more social and structured, and you can really focus on your work. At home, it can be lonely and distracting (kids, laundry, etc.), but also offer incredible flexibility. #6: How much flexibility can your job accommodate? It's important to test your vision against what's realistic, given your occupation. There are jobs that do not easily accommodate working a two-day week, and some that require too much face-to-face time to work out of your home. Ask yourself what's doable within the context of your key responsibilities. #7: What kind of workload will you be able to handle? Here you want to avoid trying to squeeze a full-time job into part-time or reduced hours. How will you actually reduce your workload or modify your schedule? What level of responsibility are you willing to (and able to) handle? List all of the things you are responsible for. Then figure out which ones you can still carry out, and which ones need to be re-assigned. #8: How far are you willing to commute to work? Now that you want to spend more time with your children, think seriously about how far you're willing to travel each day. Even cutting your commute an hour each day can make a meaningful difference in your work and family time. And are you prepared to change what you do, or work for another company, in order to reduce your commute? #9: Are you prepared to make a job or career change? If you are struggling to figure out how to make your job more flexible or convince your employer it can work, you may need a fresh start. Be honest with yourself about whether you are willing to go to another company that is more suited to a flexible work arrangement. #10: What can you afford? For most women, working flexible hours means working less and a cut in pay. How will you accommodate a reduction in your income? Start by making a list of ALL your monthly expenses - from video rentals to alcohol. Also make sure you factor in any savings you may realize from working or commuting less. If you need to start cutting, begin with the smaller things on your list. If cutting these doesn't go far enough, you may need to reduce something more significant such as your mortgage, car expenses, or groceries. Only you can decide what you're willing to trade off. Also see: Jacqueline Foley is the author of Flex Appeal: An Inspirational Guide to Flexible Work for Mothers (2002). Jacqueline is the mother of two sons, and works three days a week as a partner in a consulting firm. You can order Flex Appeal at www.amazon.com or www.getflexappeal.com |
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