The Kids Are Alright

Kids. I have two of them.?

They amaze and frustrate me in equal measure. But they’re mine, and I wouldn’t have it any other way (most of the time??)

This weekend my youngest son, Bodhi, was pretty unwell. In the space of a few hours my plans for work this week (well at least for Monday and Tuesday) were completely turned on their head.?

As well as postponing a bunch of work related calls and meetings at short notice I had to cancel a podcast recording and pull out of a speaking engagement at the NEC in Birmingham.

Fortunately, both my guest and my client share my opinion that family comes first.?

When I was employed, that wasn’t always the case.?

I had to start a business to get the flexibility I needed to be present for my kids.?

A bit extreme? Perhaps ??

Now, there are more businesses than ever building environments that allow parents to be fulfilled at work AND at home.?

But…based on the conversations I’m having, it feels like more needs to be done.?

Mandating people to get back into the office ain’t it.

Actually, companies that prioritise flexibility are seeing real benefits:

• Increased Retention: Flexible work policies have reduced attrition among working mothers. Vodafone saw a 30% decrease in female attrition after implementing flexible maternity policies.
• Improved Job Satisfaction: Companies like Salesforce and Cisco reported higher job satisfaction and engagement from female employees, particularly mothers, due to hybrid and flexible working models.
• Higher Leadership Diversity: Flexible work options have contributed to a rise in the number of women in leadership roles. At PwC and EY, these policies directly led to an increase in female leadership representation.

If you’re a working parent, how important is flexibility to you when considering a new role?

I think I might already know the answer.

The End.

Enjoyed this edition of The Job Journal? Like, comment and share away and if you’re looking for inspiration to change your relationship with work by people who have done just that, then tune into my podcast 'JobsWorth' via the link below ????

https://open.spotify.com/show/26LxDE7jzZIaGgYW3nwAGp?si=55314be519d74fcd

P.S I promised a GTC give away in last weeks edition. Medina Jordan (PhD, MIAM) , fire me a dm with your address and a little something will be winging its way to you shortly.