What are the totally flexible jobs? Do they exist?

[HolyGrailSeeker]

Since having DC1, I have not worked. But now, with DC1 at school, and DC2 starting in childcare for a couple of days a week, the luxury of being a SAHM is hitting its expiry date, and it’s time for me to start working again.

But here is the conundrum:

• No family nearby to help with childcare
• DH works extremely long hours, and often has to go away for the night/week with only a few hours notice. So I need to be entirely flexible/available to do every drop off/pick up/taking to afterschool activities.
• Hours I could work: (max 3 days a week) 9am-2pm, maybe 1-2 days a week I could do 9-5pm. But ideally a totally flexible job and I could do some extra hours when children asleep / at the weekend.
• I love love love being a Mum, and don’t want to go down the getting a nanny/au pair route. I love the time I get to spend with my children and want to protect the afterschool time with DC1 for at least 2 days a week and really don’t want DC2 in childcare for more than 3 days a week.
• Live in London so childcare is expensive so need to be earning more than spending on any additional childcare. Looking for a take home of £1000pcm as a minimum so maybe £25+ p/h.
• 2:1 from a top university - social sciences degree
• extremely low self confidence right now due to toxic environment and negative experiences at job pre-DC. Returning to that industry not an option as it was extremely un-family friendly (and I hated it).
• open to studying for a new qualification if necessary, but ideally I would be able to start earning something sooner rather than later.
• ideally WFH / very local for most of the time.

What job can I do? I’m at a total loss as to where to start looking. No idea too crazy (although keep it legal please and I have no interest in doing anything X-rated!)

I’d love to hear what flexible jobs others do that fit my criteria and how you got into it.

Thank you!

Potentially, but not necessarily the same 2 nights each week so would have see how flexible they are

Worth looking at the Work From Home hub that have a Facebook page - I've seen seasonal work from home customer care type jobs that might suit and give you a foot back in.

I work nights in a supermarket, I do 4 on 10 off. Obviously with your DH away at last moment may not be suitable, but now's a good time for seasonal vacancies

What was your work before? Is there a way to pivot it? Become an external consultant in that field? Become a trainer in that field?

It sounds like you want project based work where people will schedule calls around your timetable. But be prepared to have to do the wrap around shift. I.e. up at 4am and working again at 11pm to make up for the school runs and after school time with DC

So?

my husband and I have opposing work hours. He works an 11pm-7am shift.

You’re right. I hadn’t looked at it that way. I suppose for pride I would like to see a positive balance in my bank account at the end of each month but that’s a long term wish not short term, and pension contributions are really important!!!

Pay for admin roles is very very low.
with social sciences background though keep an eye out to see if you could maybe go in at HEO level or above.
in theory it is flexible with flexi time so you work your hours between 7am and 8pm as you wish but track it (or is it 8am and 7pm, can’t remember 🤔). And if you were part time you could probably swap round days as needed.
wfh is possible although currently they’re asking for 60% of days in the office.
the flexibility obviously depends on the role and the team.
worth checking civil service jobs in case there’s anything nearby ish.

i had a career change into civil service around 40 from something much more stressful and am really enjoying it. Am even managing full time hours around being a single parent of 3 because the flexibility where I am is very good (although they are older so I can wfh when they’re here after school)

I work 10pm -6am, the standard shift is 9-7 but they struggle to keep night staff

Is there an equivalent role / something related to your previous industry that you could do within the civil service? If you have experience you'll go in at a higher grade than if you apply for a generic admin role. Salaries tend to be lower than private sector but very good for flexibility, pension, flexi time etc.

You have separate bank accounts? Then DH has to pay you a wrap around childcare fee to you and also a fair portion of the outsourced childcare. Don't think of it as anything less.

OP, you won't get £25 an hour for doing admin in the civil service. Also there are minimum requirements to attend the office so you'd need to factor in travel time.

The department I work for requires your contract to be 3 days minimum for part time workers (used to be 2 many years ago). I'd expect that's the same for most departments.

I know someone who works 4hrs a day in a GP surgery so she can work around school hours easily. I don't think it's particularly flexible though. No idea what she earns.

Virtually impossible to get recruited into a part time admin job in the civil service these days. All job adverts will say “this is a full time role but applications to work part time will be considered according to business need” because they have to say that but if someone else is willing to work full time they are far more likely to get the job.

I feel like you're asking for the moon on a string here unfortunately

How about starting your own business which you can do in school hours?

That’s great to hear. I’ll definitely look into civil service, I know they are a very flexible employer.

Nope, most CS jobs require 60% of your time in an office. Especially admin who are frequently 100%.

Have you considered working in a school full time? As A TA or admin? Then less of an issue with pick up and drop off, and holiday's. Can also work full hours.

I think you may be being unrealistic to expect £25/hr and flexibility in a return to work job with no direct experience. And childcare rates, surely, are irrelevant as you are already paying for child care/or kids are in school? Or are you looking to increase the childcare hours taken by your youngest?

If you are looking to increase the hours, to say two extra days a week at the £12-17/hr, then you are looking for £20ish average over the week (because you are looking to offset the cost of the additional hours only?)

Civil service jobs offer remote flexible working (DWP etc); and there are online/remote PA jobs where you can be employed directly or join an ‘agency’ of sorts?

If you are returning to work after a significant break of say 5 years, in a new role/industry with no direct experience, you might need to look at the first more in terms of breaking even financially to get your CV activated and build your salary from there? Alternatively, depending on household finances, you might be able to get a subsidised place on an ACCA course?

My DH works for a company that actively recruit ‘returners’ and he has recently hired a woman who left to raise children and has had a 14yr gap. But she has returned to the same industry, has got the kids into secondary school/independence so that she is FT and able to focus on the job and is doing retraining (re-certifying in her profession). I wonder whether retraining should be the focus for the next year or two, with a new job when youngest starts school might be a better strategy? I know a few people who have done teacher training/PGCE PT over 2 years before doing their NQT year; and another who did her ACCA (or it might be CIMA) over a few years and then found two PT jobs using her new skills.

Can you hold fire and play the long game/re-train first - or is earning extra money the driver?

Yeh, that’s my worry! I know it will be easier when both are at school but we’re not at that stage yet

I have a friend who was having a similar dilemma. She became a childminder and has the children in her home. She’s been doing it for years now. Is that something you could pursue?

Yes, I love children and working as a TA hours would fit brilliantly, especially when both are at school.

I have actually been considering this, I love young children.

Similar situation here, and I recently registered as a childminder. It's not flexible as such, but you can pick and choose which kids you take on. I've only been doing it a few weeks, so I'm no expert, but so far so good.

My friend loves it so could be worth investigating.

The civil service is very flexible. You can work term-time only and set your hours. You're looking to earn about £12k for 18 hrs, so that's a FT salary of £25k which is achievable at entry level when accounting for London weighting.

So it seems to me a child centric job would work best for your needs.

Agree with a PP about McDonald’s. My DC works there and drops/picks up shifts through an app I think.

My job has complete flexibility (subject to client needs) but I’m a lawyer in a fully remote firm so not helpful to you! They do exist though.