Hey part- timers I've got some good news - please allow me to gloat!

[speedymama]

I've just had a meeting with one of the senior managers and they have asked me to be the Head of Marketing for the whole division (approx 1500 people). Not only that I'm in the running to be the Key Account Manager for a major customer also

All this and I work 3 days a week. They want me, a part-timer, a woman and a mother for these key roles.

Not only am I gobsmacked, I am over the moon. They are clearly delighted with what I have been doing since I went part-time three years ago.

Part-time working rocks!!!!!

Now, who was it who said that they did not understand why women work part-time?

Oh wow. Did you see the new report from Working Families on this topic? There's some coverage in the Guardian. Hang on, I'll find it.

\linkmoney.guardian.co.uk/work/story/0,,2085239,00.html\Here.}

HERE

Well done Speedymama.

Thanks guys.

That's an interestng article MI. In my company which is predominantly men, quite a few of the senior managers as well as junior staff work flexibly from home. Companies are short-sighted and too old fashion if they don't embrace these new ways of working, especially with the growth of the informatio highway which means more people can work from home.

well done!

Thank you!

Good for you speedymama, and great to hear there are some forward thinking companies out there.

Well done indeed, another blow to the frankly bizarre theories about part-timers abounding on here at the moment

Forward thinking companies with forward thinking managers, particularly men.

One of my male colleagues just said "Don't expect me to bow".

Right, must go and pick up DTS from nursery.

Well done speedymama....now just think what you could achieve if you worked fulltime !

predictable...

speedymama, you are a top quality dolly!

Go girl.....

Thanks guys.

Mozhe, thanks. Also, I know what I could achieve working full time but I'm not interested. I'm happy with the balance that I have.

Hello I am new to Mumsnet.

Congratulations Speedymama.

I've worked part time for just over a year (3 days p/w sometimes 4) and I don't have any children yet. I used to work in a full on, highly responsbile, well paid job in an ad agency, but left 18 months ago to find a less hectic job and so that I could return to college one day a week.

It took a bit of time to find a smaller, less busy company, but I found it and although I earn half what I used to, I have virtually no stress, 75% of my previous back problem has disappeared and I am 1/3 of the way into my retraining. I rarely long for any time off work as I never feel trapped with that 9-5 feeling. I spend my week in two different places with different groups of people which has brought a few new friends as well as some great networking opportunities. At nearly half way through the year I have yet to take any annual leave. Also worth pointing out is that I get quite a bit of respect and envy from colleagues who work full time.

Also I am delighted to say I am 9 weeks pregnant....which leads me onto the question of: Maternity Pay does this come out of the employers pocket or do they claim it back from the tax I have paid over the years? I have yet to tell them of my news but my boss this morning received some literature relating to the changes in leave and pay which had me rushing off to make the coffee. Not v subtle but I am still the same size physically as before so no one has noticed anything.

I'm looking forward to coming back to work part time as they won't have to make any adjustments to my working hours AND the company is diversifying so there will be opportunities for moving up without having to work longer hours. And my colleagues are all pretty laid back decent people.

Part time work is a great thing, and realising that money isn't everything is very liberating. I've worked hard for nearly 20 years so fortunate enough to now earn enough money on pt time hours.

I'll stop now because I feel like i'm showing off! But really just over the moon with life and the realisation that some risks do pay off in the end.

Hello Neuro and welcome to Mumsnet!

Congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope it all goes well for you, especially as you have your hands full with training and working!

You have hit the nail on the head with this comment "realising that money isn't everything is very liberating".

That is so true and that is why I'm staying part-time for the next few years.

For info about Maternity pay, you need to know your employer's policy but you can also get info from the Maternity Alliance. Failing that, there are some experts on Mumsnet so start a thread and somebody will enlighten you.

Good luck and congratulations again!

Congratulations speedymama!

way to go speedymama - part time is great

Even though enjoying mat leave with dts - I'm still going back

Thanks everyone.

Oooggs, I returned to work part-time when my DTS were 7 months. They have thrived in their nursery and it was the best decision for me, them and DH. Good luck!

Grumpyfrumpy, well done. Just goes to show, if you have the right skills, enlightened employers will want you on board on your terms.

That's great great news

Sadly my company has refused part time working (DS 8 months, DD 3 in Sep) so I've resigned....long story but still very sad & bitter about it.