How aware of job sharing are we and do we need to do more?
Flexible working is no longer a fad but a reality we, and other businesses, are trying to make a permanent fixture in the working environment. This week has seen phenomenal exposure for the case of flexible working to be the norm, in particular for mums.
Digital Mum’s, in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), released their research paper highlighting that mums could boost the London economy by £16bn incorporating flexible working as part of a company’s work practice. The paper also found that 40 per cent of mums would work extra hours if it would fit around their childcare; regrettably the paper also found 20 per cent of mums do not apply for roles if they felt the company did not offer flexible working.
The trending hashtag #WorkThatWorks sent Twitter and Facebook alight trending at number 3 on Wednesday evening on their live chat, with posts demonstrating the need mums have for flexible working. Sophie Walker, leader of Women’s Equality UK, said “flexible working is still seen as a woman’s issue”, which is sad but, at the moment, true. Although in today’s modern society, with Shared Parental Leave and more men wanting to work flexibly, it may cease to be a gender issue but a work issue.
Kathyrn Tyler, co-founder of Digital Mums, said “with today’s technology, a 9-5 desk policy is totally outdated…what we need is a societal shift to embrace flexible working as the norm for everyone, and not the exception”. We couldn’t agree more. At SYJ we strongly advocate flexible working to enhance a better work-life-balance, and also promote a more positive family life. If you need to work flexibly, through job sharing, register on our website to find your perfect work partner.
Hillary Clinton is trying to break the glass ceiling over the shores, so too are we.