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.
2020 has been quite the year so far. Whilst as a country we seem to never be too far away from another political crisis, there have been some great developments that show where the rest of the year, and perhaps further into the future, is going to take us. So it’s a good time to take stock of some of the more positive things starting to emerge when it comes to work and the ultimate goal of modern day thriving family.
1. Tell us a little about you?
I was born and bred, and still live, in Manchester. I am an employment solicitor, specialising in pregnancy and maternity discrimination cases. I work 4 days a week as I am also a mum to 2 young boys. My husband and I “share the load” in respect of School drop-offs and pick-ups.
2. Your fave spot in Manchester?
I recently had the opportunity of doing the Bee in the City trail with my sons. It allowed us to see so much of the amazing City we live in, and visit lots of the lovely buildings. We got to go in Manchester Cathedral and didn’t realise what a gorgeous building it was until then - despite living here all my life.
3. How would you describe your ideal working week?
Would be to finish on a Friday not having to worry about how much I had to do the next week, in terms of workloads and distributing that amongst my working days and also the worry of juggling the kids drop-offs, getting into work on time, finishing jobs off at work to then have to leave and pick kids up from after school club.
4. Fave Manchester inspired music?
Not necessarily Mancunian but I am, and have always been, a massive Take That fan, so anything by them (some of them coming from Manchester) would be my preference.
5. Why does flexible working appeal to you?
It allows me to have a work-life balance. It means that I can continue to do a job I love but not have to miss out on dropping my children off at school, picking them up and being there for carol concerts, assemblies and parents evenings and spending time with them during the summer holidays.
