The festive period is often a time of reflection. As December rolls around, we're sometimes haunted by the ghosts of Christmasses past. Of years when the office was festooned with tinsel and the wistful tones of Mariah Carey echoed around the departmental kitchen. This can go either way, of course. You might feel a touch of nostalgia for the years when reindeer sweaters were de rigueur at your Friday morning accounts meeting. You may, on the other hand, shudder at the memory of an office Christmas lunch of lukewarm turkey and soggy sprouts. Either way, this time of year has a habit of focussing the mind on the issue of RTO - the "Return To The Office".
What makes a good leader? How much impact do our senior managers really have on our day-to-day experience of work? And is the movement towards equality and flexibility for all really dependent on great chiefs?
In an attempt to smooth the path of our friends in the 9-2-3 community, we've put together some top tips to help you to return to work with confidence, and bag the best flexible jobs on the market in 2024. Read on for more details...
Ah, September. Month of blustery mornings. Of afternoons where the leaves crunch satisfyingly under your feet. Of endless confusion about the day on which PE kit is required. Don't you just love it?
We can't help but feel a flutter of excitement at this time of year. Possibly it's because of the sudden silence at home, or the reduced demands for snacks and screen time. Maybe you're celebrating the excuse to dig out cosy sweaters and to retreat inside with a book. Or perhaps it's the fact that the air is just that touch fresher, the colours that fraction richer. Everyone I pass is walking with a little bit more purpose in their steps. However old we are, as the new academic year rolls around, I think we all feel a little more driven - that it's time to set ourselves some new goals, and that we finally have the bandwidth and the space to achieve them.
Here at 9-2-3, we often talk about the challenges of balancing childcare with careers. Of how flexible working can help people with disabilities to access the workplace. About how flex can help older employees extend their working lives. But there's another group of employees out there whose place in the world of work is also increasingly under threat…
As the New Year dawns, with the added joys of lockdown #3, you might be forgiven for thinking it’s a rather grey and uninspiring dawn. However, here at 9-2-3, we’ve been thinking about the months and years to come and we’re feeling hopeful about the post-pandemic landscape for businesses; there are definitely signs of a brighter future shining through the clouds.
1. Tell us a little about you? (work, family, location etc)
I’m a husband and father of two young children, aged 10 and 5. We live in Altrincham and I take the Metrolink to work in Manchester City Centre every day. I’m the Managing Director of Code Computerlove, we’re a digital agency with around 100 staff, based in the Northern Quarter.
2. Your fave spot in Manchester?
My favourite area doesn’t exist anymore, well since the Manchester bomb it’s now the Triangle near Selfridges. Back when I was a student it was a flea market called the Corn Exchange (a bit like Affleck’s Palace) and it’s where I collected all my Beatles & 60’s records and imported Japanese video games
3. How would you describe your ideal working week?
I love being in the office, but I know I’m more productive when I’m totally by myself. So my ideal working week has me working from home for a day or two, speeding through a backlog of work I’ve been meaning to get to for a while – it’s very satisfying!
4. Fave Manchester band/song?
Tough question as there’s so many! I’d say The Stone Roses are my favourite Manchester band, but my favourite song by a Manchester band is ‘Hymn from a Village’ by James.
5. Why does flexible working appeal to you?
I’m probably a workaholic, I love what I do and so work is intricately woven into my life. I’ve got a family and 2 young children so I do need to juggle my work and family lives so I need flexibility to be able to do that.
Here’s Sally at Equator Design (who do some really great stuff by the way..), taking part in our #northernflex campaign. The team here LOVE a work/life balance and are really creative about implementing this. Take a read of Sally’s interview here on her fave spots in Manchester and why she loves working at Equator.
1. Tell us a little about you?
Yorkshire born and raised, came to Manchester to study at University and never left. I am one of 3 sisters, 3 of us are triplets and from a very close knit family. I have a husband called Ian and the love of my life, my German Shepard, Foxy!
2. Your fave spot in Manchester?
My favourite spot in Manchester.... There’s so many amazing ones to choose from! I love Mexican so Luck, Pistol and Burn is a great place for good food and wine and also Mackie Major if there is a big group. Great place with multiple food vendors and great selection of drinks!
3. How would you describe your ideal working week?
My ideal working week would be a mixture of being in the office and at home, working closely with the team and being in front of the client. Client interaction is my favourite part as you get great satisfaction from this when a job is done well.
4. Fave Manchester band/ song?
Oasis 100%, don’t look back in anger!
5. Why does Flexible Working appeal to you?
As an agency we pride ourselves on a family environment and flexible working appeals to this culture. We have certain incentives of flexible working such as bringing your dog into work, weekly breakfasts and beer Fridays. All of which are a great way to say thank you for all the hard work they have put in!
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch with us at 9-2-3, then do feel free to contact kat@923jobs.com who would love to have a chat with you!
Here's Simon @webmart taking part in our #northernflex - all of Simon's team work flexibly and here, he tells us why this is the right decision for his business...
1. Tell us a little about you?
Simon Biltcliffe, CEO of Marketing and Print Agency with offices in Bicester, Barnsley and East Kilbride. Proud father of 2 daughters. Marxist-Capitalist. Currently living down South near Bicester but heart will always be in Barnsley! Recent new Trustee of Barnsley Football Club.
2. Your fave spot in Manchester?
Wythenshawe at my brother’s house!
3. How would you describe your ideal working week?
Up at 6 and at home by 6. On Tuesdays doing my DIY MBA day (reading about different business strategies whilst listening to some good tunes out of the office. No emails, phone calls or distractions.) Then out and about seeing as many people as possible, driving around in my Hyundai Ioniq, the greatest best low cost car you get and environmentally friendly too!
4. Fave Manchester band/song? Oasis – Super Sonic.
5. Why does flexible working appeal to you?
Flexible working helps us to keep our team happy. We can retain the best talent as circumstances change in their life, such as moving or starting a family. Technology allows us to stay in touch and keep them involved in the business. It’s worth us being flexible it have and keep the best team.
As she's based in Manchester too, we thought we'd shoot over our quick fire #nothernflex interview to Kat who's heading up our NEW office there who tells us all about her ideal working week and what she loves about the City.
1. Tell us a little about you?
I have lived in the North-West all of my life and adore Manchester. It's been amazing to see how its changed over the years. I'm a mama of two and a fiancée to my long term partner and I am blessed to currently work virtually shouting about 923 and flexi-working across Manchester but overall it means I am around for my family - here to wipe the tears (or bums) when I need to and not to miss out on those precious memories.
2. Your fave spot in Manchester?
It has to be Spinningfields. There is nothing nicer than nipping to an outdoor bar (when the sun is out) and having a drink or two.
3. How would you describe your ideal working week?
Doing what I am doing now! Working around my family and when I am most productive.
4. Fave Manchester band/song?
I have a few favourite Manchester bands from the Stone Roses to Elbow to Oasis. But the song closest to my heart is Oasis 'Live Forever' as it reminds me of a dear friend of ours that sadly passed away.
5. Why does flexible working appeal to you?
Because it makes me and so many others happier. Work no-longer feels like a chore but somewhere I can use my skills effectively and to the best of my ability. I have the best of both worlds - work; where I feel challenged and rewarded, so I am always going to go the 'extra-mile' and home; where I can be everything and more to my beautiful family. Happy employee, happy employer!From a childcare perspective - it also saves us money!
If you’d like to reach out to Kat to get more information about working/ employing flexibly in Manchester, please contact her at kat@923jobs.com
