To ask if anyone else has a great workplace and would like to be thankful with me?

[Upsetbetty]

Today I’ve heard 3 different people say, “ I’m popping out at x time to go to dc’s carol service/nativity” no one bats an eyelid here, it’s bloody great! I have never missed sports days, ceremonies and plays. Same with appointments, everyone is very understanding and flexible. We are not expected to take leave for these hours as long as our job is done no one cares!

Anyone else work in a great environment like this! It’ really should be standard! So so thankful!

Yes! I love where I work. The people are really flexible and understanding. Everyone is very professional but also kind and empathetic. I like my boss as a person and think the organisation is well run. We have a lovely Christmas party and strong social connections and I think the pay and benefits are transparent and fair. The downside is I’ve been there many years and am very nervous about trying somewhere new and it not matching up (I work in non-profit sector).

Yes!! I feel the same about trying to move on, and when I read things on here it makes me realise how great I have it. I have decided to only try to get promoted internally if possible and so far so good! But it’s tough when you see a job elsewhere that you know you would be good at etc.

I run my own business. If my employees need to go anywhere - dentist, school play, pick kid up early - they can just head off. I know they'll get the work done.

Yes! I’ve had some shockers of inflexible roles before and deliberately aimed for the kind of job I have now for the flexibility. Definitely make up for it at other times of the year with evenings or weekends but it’s well worth it for the impromptu hot chocolate dates after school or a 3-hour lunch to do some Christmas shopping on a quieter afternoon now.

Love this! 🥰

Yeah it’s so true, you are willing to give your time at other times of the year simply because you know it works both ways 🙌

Bloody love my job - I’ve just run home (week 9 couch to 5k, woo!) and had a shower, and lunch with DH, then back to work in a bit. Can pop out for kids stuff, appts etc whenever we want. It’s very low stakes and we do loads of very fun events too. Love it! And it’s term time only!

Yes, I work for a charity and it’s normal for people to put school pick ups on their calendars. Men equally with women.

We are assessed on outcomes rather than hours at the keyboard. Get the work done to the required standard and there’s lots of flexibility.

I am very grateful.

Yes, very flexible employer and supportive team, the flexibility works both ways in that if something needs done out of hours I’ll step in, but it’s been a godsend while my DD has needed extra support. I more than work my hours, but the flexibility of when that happens is so helpful.

When I first started working where I am it was November. It got round to December and I was working the day of DC's Christmas play. I half mentioned it in work that morning and everyone was aghast that I wasn't going - we have a rule of no holidays In December as it's extremely busy so I didn't bother asking. I was actually told off (light-heartedly by a colleague) for not asking - they had worked there much longer an all left work when needed for sports days/school plays etc. I then said I didn't have a ticket so I would leave it, my boss said they would ring the school and get me a ticket. I ended up going, one of the main reasons I have stayed working where I am I due to the flexibility.

Absolutely, I work in a University and it is a fabulous employer in a corporate sense and my local colleagues and line manager are all wonderful, lovely, kind people. My previous job in a FE College was the same - manager & colleagues would bend over backwards to accommodate you. Mind you, I have never taken the piss am prepared to go the extra mile in turn. My colleagues trust me and know they can rely on me and I feel the same about them.

My manager at my last workplace told me not to worry about having to leave early for kids' things, that he has children too and completely understands.

Current workplace is great too. We have flexi time and a time bank system so I can take time off when I need to and make up for it another time. And there's a nice atmosphere, we play cards during our coffee breaks, bring in cakes and buns and chocolates to share (and people look for gluten free treats for me), and two women ran a free tombola today with a prize every time. The same two women have turned their workspace into some kind of Christmas corner and ride tinsel decorated scooters around the factory all the time and no one bats an eyelid - they let me have a go too. And the boss brings his dogs to work with him (on the office side, not the factory side obviously) and they are lovely. Pay isn't great but I'd rather less pay and a good atmosphere where I can have a laugh than more pay but dull.

Yes i’m happy with my workplace. They have allowed me to change my working hours twice for the kids. I also had a breakdown from exhaustion this year and work have been amazing.

Just a shame I work for a company everyone hates!

gosh yes I can do whatever i need

haven’t been in since Thursday the 4th as I’ve had sick kids and then I was super sick myself

but I still have gotten all my work done in the evenings and during kids naps and I worked all day the last 2 Saturdays - so it’s all good

Ive been at all the school things family phonics sessions, nativity etc

I leave twice a week to pick up at 3.30 and its not an issue (I do start early to make up for the time)

saves me on after school clubs etc

My workplace is the same. We can also request not to be scheduled to work on certain days (it’s a shift role) and they accommodate it.
When I’ve mentioned this before on Mumsnet, the replies I’ve received have been shocking, asking why my colleagues should have to pick up the slack etc!

We all have the options to take mental health days, schedule days off, leave early if needed etc, and nobody ever takes the piss, so we will all cover for each other and know the work still gets done.
I love my workplace.

My work is brilliant - so flexible with time for dc appointments/ nativity/ sports days. Good pay and pension. Great colleagues.

I don't have that flexibility in my job, but I am lucky to teach in a school with lovely, well-behaved kids and fantastic colleagues. It has its issues, like any school, but it's so much better than the vast majority!

Me too! I'll never not be grateful for it. Seeing my children's nativities this year was extra special. I also had a wedding last Wednesday which I wouldn't have been able to attend previously.
I quit a long teacher career for this flexibility and it's more than worth the pay cut. All schools are different of course but in the ones I've worked in assemblies, appointments etc were not permitted. Also things like it my child's school called because my DS is sick or I've forgotten their PE kit or whatever, there's just no drama and everyone is so supportive and genuinely caring. They didn't even call me before as they knew I wouldn't have access to my phone.

Yes me! Work from home three days a week can get loads done, do school run etc can always input for kids stuff. I get my work done and that’s all they care about.
we get a Christmas shopping day to take anytime in dec / jan so I tag it onto my Christmas leave.
early pay day for dec / everyone brings in food for a Buffett this week and it’s dress down

Yep I'm on a construction site. Just me and the boss in. He's been working through a load of teams calls so has gone to another porta cabin on site leaving me to get on with things except there's nothing really to get on with. So I've been on my Kindle and out for breakfast. Then went out lunch time. On Mumsnet now as my WiFi is very slow and my DWG'S not transferring. Love my job.

Yes, mine is the same. As long as the work is done, on time and to a high standard, and you don't let anyone down or leave people hanging, then you manage your own time.

I spent many years in both retail and the NHS, which (for good reasons!) just don't have that same level of flexibility, and I would never ever go back.

We have a full two weeks off at Christmas too, and have had two separate emails from senior management this morning saying that 'downtime is not optional' over this period, and no one is allowed to be checking their emails from 4pm on Friday onwards!

My job drives me nuts at times but God, I'm not leaving!

I love my job. It's actually pretty rigid at counting how many hours I work - I have to sign in and out, and every minute worked is expected to be used productively - but it's very liberal in allowing me to work them at any time between 5am and 10pm Monday to Friday.

Yes, I loved from a teaching to a non-teaching role last year.
when my ds was small I was luck enough to have a head teacher who was family orientated and generally found a way for us to attend plays etc but still, the role I’m in now I manage my own diary and work flexibly and it’s just so lovely not to have that level of hassle and guilt.
I also like my boss and my team are all incredibly knowledgable and good at their jobs so it’s been a very happy move.