Where to look for PT / Flexible / Job Share Work?

[preghead]

I am on maternity leave at the moment and need to look for a new job for later this year. I work in IT for a large bank in the City. It is a terrible job which I hate and have had enough of now (final straw, new manager came in last year, hates flexible working and has marked me as under-performing in appraisal = trying to force me out). The only reason I stayed was good maternity leave and a good corporate policy of flexible working (I currently work FT, 2 days from home).

As I have 3 young children I really would like to work either FT with some home working days (children in childcare but no travel time etc) or part-time / job-share. Ideally a contract position. Are there any agencies or recruitment sites I should be looking at? Do any exist?

(Holy Grail, I know)

Even tho u say its terrible, if u r home 2 days then i would def stick with it, quitting a job at such uncertain times is a brave move and certainly not one i'd do even if i could work 24/7, the likeliness of finding a flexible job if any job right now are very slim.

Its a huge trust by the employer to allow an employee to work from home especially for two full days a week rather than emergencies.

You would need to prove yourself first to a new employer before making such a request. Or you could look at SE then you can work from home as and when you wish.

I agree, in these current times home working should not be given up lightly. There are few jobs that offer home working from day one, you often need to build your reputation and then things become more flexible.

It is always easier to find a role when you are in another one. Just be careful that if you get a new role that the home working is definite. Three children and working FT is hard, we stopped at 2 because a third would have just finished me off. I work for a large company that embraces home working when you are in certain roles. I wouldnt give it up in a million years although it does definitely have its downsides.

SE?

Self employed

If it's a large bank, can you look at doing something completely different for the same organisation?

My p-t job in banking (which I didn't like much either) recently became redundant, which forced me to have a proper look around and I've now secured a position, with similar hours, doing something I would never have considered if I haven't had to, but I'm actually really excited about the new direction.

I think it was much easier to get these hours with an organisation that already knew me, than if I'd had to look outside.

Mine is a very large bank, but it's much bigger in terms of different of career paths than I realised.

Thanks all self employed would be ideal but Id struggle to match my earnings I think wouldn't I? (can't drop too much as main breadwinner, mortgage etc etc) I am thinking about doing a proof reading qualification and trying to get some work there, using my scientific / technical background as a specialism, but I understand it is tough to crack into. Would ideally like to do contract it positions but they are all ft I think and my youngest is too young, I feel, for 5 days full childcare.

Re an internal move tbh I have tried that in the past ( how I got into the specialism I am in now ) and I too have found something I really like and have spent a lot of time and effort doing qualifications etc so I think same thing elsewhere is the ideal. Unfortunately the manager who came in has finished me off there now as once you get marked down, even if blatant game playing as in my case, you're finished. Tbh I want a change anyway as been there a while and its a trek to get there. Just wonder if anyone knew of any sites/ agencies specialising in pt / job share / flexible hours but doesn't sound like there is. Guess I will just have to grin and bear it for a couple more years ......

Try "Women like us" website - specialises in flexible/part time jobs and has some senior positions not just admin jobs.

Or "Have your cake" website who do job shares for senior/professional types.

Sorry can't do links on iPhone as takes an age but if you google those the sites should come up.

Thanks Katie! That's the kind of thing am looking for. Can't believe in this day and age professional women haven't organised ourselves more on this, we really should. I know so many women in the same position, we should have a job share register or something!

You're welcome. You could also see if there's a working mums network of some sort where you live? You might be able to find a job share partner at one and then you can apply for roles as a job share.

Try NCT branches, working mums etc