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…
Perhaps it was the return of confidence or the break away from lego building, but something was telling me I was just so ready for a new opportunity. I was excited to tell people about what I was doing, I became EVEN more efficient with my time (if that is physically possible when already having a young family), it was like I had a new lease of life and, admittedly, such an ego boost, as things seemed to be going so well and clicking into place with work & life and the juggle.
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.
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
What do you do when you've moved to a new area and want to make a difference for working Mothers...set-up a fantastic community just like Helen, founder of The Guilty Mothers Club did, providing support for those Mothers wishing to return to the workplace....flexibly!
Here's Helen telling us more about the Club and how it continues to grow...
Q1. 1. Tell us who you are and a little about yourself…
Hi, I'm Helen. Mum of three (7. 5. 3) soon to be four (due in October). I live with my husband in Manchester. I founded Guilty Mothers Club around 3 years ago now with the aim of supporting more women in returning to work after maternity leave, changing career and finding that elusive work - life alignment. I'd experienced maternity discrimination, moved to a new area where I had no real community and was feeling totally lost and frustrated about the whole thing. What started with running small in person workshops and the odd supper club locally has now grown to an online membership community and a range of online courses which I am so proud to say are now helping more mums have a better experience than I did. Over 100 have now done Game Changers and switched things up on the work front, I get giddy talking about this. I am exceptionally passionate about changing the current crap working mums often face and often can be found boring people stupid with my feminist rants and enthusiasm for change.
Q2. What’s your flexible working purpose?
Our flexible working purpose is in helping more parents in applying for and making flexible working work in reality (within our Rock your Return programme). Also, for those who decide returning to a current employer isn't the right thing, or who are feeling lost or frustrated or stuck, to find a new way of working (Game Changers). For some this means switching roles or departments within their current employer, considering new ways to work flexibly (which has at times meant moving to a new employer) and also plenty deciding to start a business, go freelance or retrain in something new. We talk a lot about portfolio careers and how to really understand what it is that you are brilliant at or passionate about. Understanding this and what the ideal work / home set up might look like is key.
Q3. What encouraged you to start your flexible working journey?
Actually, when I started Guilty Mothers Club I was already working flexibly after returning from my first maternity leave part time for a large corporate in HR (talent management and leadership development).
However, this still meant long hours, a long commute and I found sadly that in doing so I also gave up all chances of further progression (something I know can be frustratingly common). I really felt the overwhelm which I also know is common for women in particular, from trying to do and be everything in such a small amount of time. Over the next few years and for a variety of reasons we made choices and decisions to try and change some of this. I now work for myself 4 days a week and feel like I have more work:life alignment than ever before. My husband works flexibly too, he is now fully appreciating and enjoying the benefits flexible working can bring and our lives are very different to eight years ago.
Q4. What’s your top tip for those seeking flexible work or those who need to ask for this at work?
My top tip would be to try and find out as much as possible about what is on your employer's mind and have as much informal discussion as possible prior to making a formal request. A KIT day can be a great way to do this because you hear more about projects that are happening, who is currently doing what and can scope out and chat to potential job share partners or just test the waters of what could be possible. If your line manager describes some potential hurdles then you know to really focus on how these can be overcome within any request you make, which I think can be more effective than just sending something in cold.
Register here to attend our National Flexible Working Day on 12th September to join in the conversation around flexible working, see how it works in action and talk to business' who are doing this already. If you can't attend in person, why not join in online, posting your comments and questions (and we'd love to see your pictures too) using our hashtag #LetsAllFlexTogetherDay - see you there!
Some people may shudder at the thought of networking, I for one used to dread this situation…how do I start a conversation, ask the right questions, do I hand over a business card?
I can honestly say that the more you do these events, the more confident you’ll become at simply being yourself and ultimately representing your own brand, better than any other tactic you may have going on in your head.
Here at 9-2-3, we have seen many women come together over a cup of tea, share (sometimes very emotional) stories and even come away with the prospect of finding a new career for themselves.
In a day where technology is king, it’s sometimes so nice to actually talk in person to one another about a shared view or topic.
Here’s a fab article that highlights just how important it is to go out and network, especially when you’re a Mum.
So…what exactly is the 9-2-3 Club?
You may have heard us mention the 9-2-3 Club so here’s a little low down on what it is and how it became what it is today…
The 9-2-3 Club aims to enable women to connect with one another, and be inspired by others who might be able to help further their ambitions.
We line up a variety of speakers:
Some meetings will take place at the offices of big businesses, which will give members the valuable chance to step back into a workplace environment - and realise it's not scary - it's actually quite exciting!
The big launch!
While launching The 9-2-3 Club at The House of Commons I called on all businesses to advertise their next hire as a flexible one and called on all candidates to ask about flexible working arrangements in their next interview – not a demand, just a question.
As anyone who’s spoken to me will know – I’m passionate about flexible working, and I was thrilled with the support The 9-2-3 Club had at its launch. Representatives from businesses – big and small – along with candidates (those who have had career breaks and those who haven’t) plus others, such as Digital Mums, who like me, are campaigning for a more flexible workplace.
The launch wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Victoria Prentis MP, who sponsored the event. She said: “Having job shared before I became a MP, I am really supportive of any initiative that encourages flexibility in the workplace. It is not just mums and dads who have career breaks – increasingly we are seeing people taking on caring responsibilities for elderly relatives as well. Helping these talented professionals to continue to work is so important.”
I was also delighted that Margot James MP (Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility) came along and spoke passionately about the benefits of flexible working – for both employees, employers and society as a whole.
It’s funny to think that all this started a few years ago, while I was pushing my children on the swings at my local playground….
I had been struggling to find any flexible or part-time work, and I looked around and saw I wasn’t alone. The playground was full of talented and experienced professionals all looking for flexible opportunities. And at the same time I realised there were lots of businesses out there struggling to find the talent they needed to help their business thrive and grow.
The 9-2-3 Club will be holding their next (and possibly biggest) event on the 12th September 2018 where we will be encouraging business leaders, employees and in fact, everyone to work flexibly for one-day #LetsAllFlexTogetherDay. We’re lining up some brilliant speakers and panels so do keep in touch and keep an eye out for more news on our website and social media pages! You can register for a free ticket here or join in online on the day....how?
If you can't make it in person, why not join some of our panel discussions! We'll be providing a link (and times) on the day so that you can view these from your laptop! We'll even be hosting a Facebook Live so that you can ask questions to the panel when the live Q&A happens. Why not join in the conversation and tell us how you're already working flexibly (and all its benefits) and post/ tweet/ comment these using our #LetsAllFlexTogetherDay hashtag, we'd love to hear your opinion and photo's would be GREAT!
Haven't tried flexible working before?
This is your perfect chance to give Flexible Working a go for one day! Let us know about it online if you do!
