How Moms Can Negotiate a Flex Work Schedule

Propose Plan For Employee Flexibility and Employer Productivity

Sep 24, 2008

Many parents want the option to work at home or to create an adjustable work schedule. Presenting a win-win proposal to your employer increases your chances.

Whether you want to re-negotiate your work schedule, join a more family friendly company, or earn income with a business that hires stay at home mothers, here are a few strategies to increase your success rate:

Prioritize Preferences

Before you speak with your boss or potential employer, sit down and rank the following areas from most important to least:

Outline Ideal Job Structure

Know what you want, what you can live with and what is absolutely non-negotiable before you talk to your boss or potential employer. Ask yourself the following questions:

Depending on the the terms you negotiate, be sure to add or subtract “cost of working” items that you can't expense, such as childcare, gas, dry cleaning, etc.

Determine What You Can Bring To the Workplace Bargaining Table

Decide what you can realistically offer an employer in terms of your skills, experience and weekly time commitment (10, 20, 30, 32 hours). This allows you to negotiate from a position of clarity and confidence and to avoid misunderstandings later one. Don’t ever over or understate your employee "package."

Develop A Win-Win Productivity Solution For Employers.

Companies are interested in increasing productivity and net profits. As a result, most business professionals know the importance of retaining and gaining talented employees in order to minimize the costs associated with hiring and training new staff, (particularly in high skilled fields). Don’t underestimate what you bring to the bargaining table just because you've been out of the workforce or because you're asking for a flexible work schedule. Stay at home mothers in particular have a tendency to view themselves as "less marketable" to employers.

Amelia Tyagi, author of The Two-Income Trap: Why Middle Class Mothers and Fathers Are Going Broke, [New York Books, 2003] believes mothers tend to undervalue their worth in the business marketplace, “Moms underestimate how many choices we have. We allow ourselves to feel trapped, forgetting that there are companies that value our talents."

Update Your Skill Sets And Industry Knowledge

No matter how long you've been out of the workforce, avoid becoming outdated and complacent in your field. Stay abreast of trends, technology and changes in your industry. Regularly update your professional and technical skills. This makes you a stronger asset for any company and in turn gives you further negotiating leverage. Don't be afraid to ask your current employer if they'll pay for additional tech skill classes workshops, licensing, or advanced degrees.

Be Prepared

Besides researching each company, their goals and industry trends, when you're ready to talk to your current employer or go on an interview, create a simple "cheat sheet." Clearly outline your talking points and work schedule preferences (days, hours, structure, how you'll prove your accountability). Preparation shows your professionalism and strong organizational skills.

Include Relevant Volunteer Work

All work counts, paid or unpaid. Volunteer experience can add to your asset list. Include on your resume and mention during interviews, all projects/skills that are relevant to the position. Be very specific. Include notable and quantifiable accomplishments. Describe for example, how you "increased donations by 10%" or "managed 10 volunteers successfully to do x,y or z." or "created the very first accounting system to track..."

Send A Thank You Note

Send a hand-written or typed thank you note the day after you interview with a prospective employer. This not only conveys the dying art of civility, it helps you stand out in the crowd as polite, eager and enthusiastic. Email your current employer to thank him/her for spending the time to discuss scheduling options. Even if your boss rejects your proposal, she might one day reconsider depending on how you handle yourself.

Creating A Work Schedule That Works Both Ways

Decide exactly what you want out of your proposed work schedule, rank your priorities, don't sell yourself short even if you've been out of the workforce for a long time, mention all relevant and notable volunteer work, update your skill sets and acquire new ones.

Focus your efforts with companies most likely to offer family-friendly and flexible work options. Some companies hire home workers while a few organizations specialize in connecting high-skilled employees interested in project or part-time work, with businesses. Develop a clear plan of action to outline a winning solution for you and your current/potential employer and you're more likely to walk away with a flexible schedule that works for you.

The copyright of the article How Moms Can Negotiate a Flex Work Schedule in Stay-at-Home Parents is owned by Laura Owens. Permission to republish How Moms Can Negotiate a Flex Work Schedule in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.