Flexible Working

[2echo]

I'm considering options to propose for going back to work and was interested to know what kind of flexible working arrangements people have gone for or have requested. I'm in consultancy, but had pretty regular hours (9:30-5:30) except for the occasional late day either for meetings or deadlines. And how do people deal with picking up from the nursery on time if they HAVE to finish a project??

[pixiefish]

I'm a teacher and i've cut my hours to work 2 days a week. Nursery not an issue with me as dd with my mum. Spose you could phone the nursery to let them know and pay the extra time.
here's the dti site

[Kayleigh]

I do three days 9:30 to 4:45. I get paid for 3.5 days as I am available for phone calls and/or emailing on my days off. I have a childminder who takes and collects ds1 at school and ds2 at nursery.

[2echo]

Thanks for the ideas - hadn't thought of having a childminder picking up the baby - do you mind if I ask how much she charges for that? Nursery costs are already sky high --- just wondering if it's worth it to have the childminder on top of that? And the extra time from the nursery doesn't seem to be an option we want to use, as in one case, they were charging #25 for each 15 minutes that you're late!!!

[pixiefish]

wow 2echo- the nursery certainly don't want any late kids do they. Can you have a childminder the whole time rather than a nursery- they may be more flexible

[handbagaddiction]

2echo,

I work full-time in consultancy/project management too so I also have the whole pick up issue together with tight immoveable deadlines. The thing to remember above anything else is that if you're skilled and clever enough to work in consultancy, then your employers should also recognise that you are also skilled enough to manage your time effectively! In order to make it work for me I do work slightly flexible hours - so one week, I will work from 08:00 until 16:00 - leaving early in order to pick dd up from nursery and dh will drop her off. On the other week I will work from 09:30 until 18:30 - so I drop her off in the mornings and dh picks her up.

It does mean that dh has to be flexible too - but luckily we both work for understanding employers who recognise that quality and productivity is what matters (especially to the clients) and not just visible time spent in the office.

Fortunately for me, the client I am currently working for has no problems with the arrangement and there are occasions where I do stay ofr late meetings, etc. when I need to - all it means is a 'swap' with dh. I also work from home sometimes too - which is easy with this client as they have great remote access facilities and I will often take calls in the evenings or early mornings in order to link in with the San Francisco or Tokyo people.

You do have to learn to say 'no' though which can be hard but I think a lot of the time, people will respect you for putting other things first and as long as the work gets done eventually, who cares.

Apologies if I've rambled...but hopefully, it will have given you some insight as to how it can work successfully. Happy to answer any more questions though....

[SofiaAmes]

I work 4 days a week, 10-6. My day off is variable depnding on what is going on at home (sick kids/doctors appointments etc.) and what is going on in the office...how much work there is. If I have to come in later than 10, I work through my lunch hour. My dh picks up kids from nursery and childminders, but if he didn't have the flexibility to do that, I would work earlier hours. It is clearly understood (and had been from the beginning) that I am not able to stay late, regardless of the workload in the office. (I get paid slightly less than someone else of similar experience in exchange for this flexibility). I also take my holidays when the childminder is on holiday (generally during the school holidays/half term). I take 8 weeks off a year (this includes 3 that are paid).

[2echo]

Thanks everyone, it's really helpful to hear about what others' schedules are like. And thanks pixiefish for that link - will have to look into it a bit more in detail.

I was considering asking to work 2 days from home and 3 days in the office, but not sure if I'll really be able to work at home those 2 days if baby starts to get fussy/wants to play (which seems to be what WILL happen). Could propose to work longer hours on home days? - but unfortunately, no overtime at our company. How's it working for you, handbagaddiction?

And I'll have to do the drop-offs and pick-ups from the nursery as my husband usually works 12+ hour days (on a good day), so leaves before I do and comes home after the baby's asleep (& sometimes after I'M asleep).

I guess I won't know what's going to work unless I discuss with the directors, but just wanted to know what's worked best for others.

[throckenholt]

I work 3 days at work and 1 at home (but usually that is in fits and starts). What I do is get in early on work days, have no lunch break etc and get more than a day's work done, which makes up for the day at home !

[helsi]

I do three 8 hour days and one 4 hour day although I am dropping my 4 hour day from December.

As my employer is a felxible working hours policy anyway if I have to leave early one day I can make up the time later on.

[Uhu]

I currently work from 0745 hours to 1645 hours, 3 days a week as my official hours are 24 hours a week. I tend to build up an extra hour a week so that if I need to leave earlier, I can. I'm fortunate in that my nursery opens from 0650 hours and closes at 1900 hours so if I need to work later I can. It means that I can also drop off and pick up DSs from nursery as it is more difficult for DH.

[Kif]

I'm anbout to put in a formal request for compressed hours - do 3 long days for 4 days pay. Don't know how that will go down. I work for the government, and am offereing to be v. flexible with my role (things have reorgnsed since I left). Motivation is to allow Dh and Dd to not move to London (&stay near extended family) for 6 months b4 Dh starts london job. Feeling aggressive about it! Will quit in a hearbeat, and take it as far as I can w.r.t. legal challenges if I feel unfairly treated.

[binkie]

I do an 85% (ish) year - full-time w/ very long hours when at work, but around 9-10 weeks' leave, which I take (mostly) in school holidays. It's a schedule that works with a very flexible nanny who also wants time off for travel; maybe wouldn't work with a nursery, but perhaps would with a childminder? I've never managed to use up my whole leave - always end up getting paid in lieu - but do get to spend a nice long summer with the children.

The idea might suit someone in consultancy, as I'm effectively project-based as well and generally manage to fit my long breaks in between jobs.