Different working options

Think outside the box – do all men have to work a standard 9-5.30, Monday-Friday, 40-hour week? Different options may be available at your current workplace, or it may be up to you to suggest something new. On the whole, employers want to have ‘happy’ employees (they produce better results!) so if you are not happy with your current work-life balance it is in their best interest to find a better way of working. Sell your idea as a ‘win-win’ scenario i.e. a happy & well-balanced employee is more motivated and energised to produce the goods for the employer. Every one wins.

All parents with childcare responsibilities have a right to request flexible working arrangements to help them care for children under the age of six. Employers must take your request seriously and try to find a solution.

Flexitime – usually involves a ‘core time’ (e.g. 10am-4pm) when everyone is expected to be at work plus a ‘flexible time’ when employees can choose how to make up their working hours. As a Dad, you then have the option of taking children to school, attending after school football clubs, taking your children to the dentist…

Compressed workweek – involves compressing a 40-hour week into less than five days e.g. working four 10-hour days. This would give you a three-day weekend, one extra day a week where you can hang out with your kids, meet them from school, do some DIY, get fit…

Annual hours – the total hours for a given year are agreed, but the working pattern required to achieve these hours can be flexible. This option would require quite some organising, but would allow you to work more when the children are not around (school terms) and take more time off during the school holidays.

Home/remote working – in this modern Internet age it is entirely feasible to work many jobs from home. You do need to be disciplined & to think about whether you can work in an environment with a two year old in the background but it can be done!

Part-time work / Job-sharing – have you considered reducing your hours? Perhaps sharing income generation with your partner & each looking after the children whilst the other is working?