Flexibility

I spoke at a conference today on behalf of Fitted For Work.  It went well & I got lots of interest - which is always fabulous for FFW.

The conference was on 'family friendly workplaces' and when I arrived the 200+ participants were listening to a panel discuss flexible work arrangments.  It seemed to focus on women who had children, which is interesting in itself, but then a participant said that with small children she had a 'right' to flexibility and she was offended by people who didn't have family responsibilities having a flexible arrangement at work.

I must admit, this statement made me MAD!!  I've previously been in a workplace where I was told that only women with families got to have flexible days and that their holiday requests would always be approved before the rest of us.  Regardless of the fact that this leaves out men, people with older family members who they care for and gay couples with kids, I would argue that it flies in the face (and the spirit) of anti-discrimination law.

So... I've been thinking about flexibility and work and what it means for me.  Due to the fact that the drive to work is over 75 minutes (one day) for me, my boss allows me to work at home 2 days a week - usually Wednesdays and Thursdays.  Clearly this arrangement is based on trust and a knowledge that I will do what I say I will do.  It is also possible due to having a computer and internet accessibility at home + my trusty BlackBerry. 

I struggled with the isolation at first but now I love it!  I am preparing a major submission at the moment so having quiet time to research and write means I get heaps more done than I would if I was in a noisy office.  It also means I work different hours - working into the night regularly so that I can do other things in the morning (such as appear at conferences).

I think that having flexibility in the workforce is essential - regardless of whether someone has children, or not.  Although I've chosen not to have children, I do a great deal of community/volunteer work which I would not be able to do if I didn't have some flexibility at work.  This allows me to actively participate in the community, bring a set of skills to organisations that they may not otherwise be able to afford plus build my own skills and networks.  I wonder whether the whingy woman - who clearly was the first woman in the world to work and have babies - has ever done any community work?

In other news, the Fitted For Work Fashion Challenge launch was fabulous last night!  Over 100 women (and 1 man) attended and it was a great success.  Although I am not shopping for the entirity of 2011, if you would like to donate to the Fashion Challenge, please do so before the end of March as I understand the website will go away.  We are doing well with the challenge, although my contribution is ... well, not great.  I'm working on it!