I was recently commissioned to write an article for HR Magazine on why compressed work weeks are beneficial to both the employee and the business. This is a topic close to my heart – I have seen many clients face tough negotiations to have their compressed work week requests accepted by their employers, with many businesses struggling to see how these type of flexible working practises can be beneficial to not only the individual but the company as a whole.
It felt like a pertinent time to be writing this feature, with news of the four-day work week trial starting in the UK – I took the opportunity to outline my thoughts on this, and why compressed work weeks can be a good option for those seeking a flexible work solution. See an extract below:
“I personally believe that it will take quite a while for four-day work weeks scheme to be adopted and there are a lot of factors to work through. As an alternative, there are many benefits to different types of flexible working arrangements, both businesses and employees, including compressed work weeks and job-shares.
Compressed work weeks have seen a sharp rise in popularity globally, allowing employees to do their weekly contractual hours in a flexible way. While there are various different ways to structure a compressed week, the most popular is compressing five days of hours into four (such as, taking off a Friday, and working an extra couple of hours daily from Monday to Thursday).
Graham Joyce, founder of the flexible working platform DuoMe, notes that compressed work weeks are fast becoming more commonplace: “Compressed hours have been around for a long time, but tended to be available in positions with more strict hours. This appears to be changing with key employers, like the UK government, offering compressed hours as a working pattern that can even be searched for across their advertised jobs.”
For more advice on flexible working, see my Instagram account where I share daily guidance, tips and inspiration.
There are many things you can do as a Manager supporting your team member/s to return to work after maternity leave. Here are some ones to get you started and reflect the conversations I’ve had with clients on they wish they had been supported, or what they didn’t know like how to organise KiT days…
Right now I’m working with a company to coach all of their returners and at the end of next year, I will have supported 10 of their women to return. If you’re a HR Manager or you’d like to find out more then send me a DM.
I’d also love to hear, if you’re a Manager, what things do you do to support women back into work, or what do you wish your Manager had done…? Let’s chat in the comments ⬇️
Olivia x
There are many things you can do as a Manager supporting your team member/s to return to work after maternity leave. Here are some ones to get you started and reflect the conversations I’ve had with clients on they wish they had been supported, or what they didn’t know like how to organise KiT days…
Right now I’m working with a company to coach all of their returners and at the end of next year, I will have supported 10 of their women to return. If you’re a HR Manager or you’d like to find out more then send me a DM.
I’d also love to hear, if you’re a Manager, what things do you do to support women back into work, or what do you wish your Manager had done…? Let’s chat in the comments ⬇️
Olivia x
What would you like your HR team to focus on in 2024 so that your company is a better place to work…? Sharing my views, and I’d love to hear yours too ⬇️
What would you like your HR team to focus on in 2024 so that your company is a better place to work…? Sharing my views, and I’d love to hear yours too ⬇️
Organisations are working hard to create more leadership diversity and implement better flexible work policies, yet, we are still a long way from every person, including women, no matter what stage they are at in their career being offered these opportunities. Nearly half of working adults have caring responsibilities outside of work with the majority falling to women*. And so we are calling out for organisations that truly offer flexible work – all too often I hear of organisations championing their policies but the employee experience does not reflect this policy or sentiment.
This week I’ve had three separate conversations with clients about flexible working and the same challenges keep coming up – scroll through carousel to read these.
I was however delighted to read this FT article with one of the women I’ve worked with (to help her regain her confidence at work) Megan Gray who has continued to advocate for alternative work models, especially for working mothers since having her daughter Lily and having her request to do set hours (eg 9am-5pm) was declined by a major law firm to meet her caring responsibilities.
Helping women to negotiate flexible working and supporting organisations to better understand how they can create policies that truly support the diversity of workforces is my jam.
To discuss the ways that I can help you including paid-for services: my business case template letter to your Manager and 1:1 session on managing objections that could come up so that your request is accepted, complete the form which is in the link in bio.
For enquiries about my corporate services, you can email me at oliviabath@thewomensvault.com or complete the form in the link in my bio.
Olivia
* Source – Ipsos Report 2021: 44% per cent of working adults, have caring responsibilities and women found they do more even when they are the joint carer.
Organisations are working hard to create more leadership diversity and implement better flexible work policies, yet, we are still a long way from every person, including women, no matter what stage they are at in their career being offered these opportunities. Nearly half of working adults have caring responsibilities outside of work with the majority falling to women*. And so we are calling out for organisations that truly offer flexible work – all too often I hear of organisations championing their policies but the employee experience does not reflect this policy or sentiment.
This week I’ve had three separate conversations with clients about flexible working and the same challenges keep coming up – scroll through carousel to read these.
I was however delighted to read this FT article with one of the women I’ve worked with (to help her regain her confidence at work) Megan Gray who has continued to advocate for alternative work models, especially for working mothers since having her daughter Lily and having her request to do set hours (eg 9am-5pm) was declined by a major law firm to meet her caring responsibilities.
Helping women to negotiate flexible working and supporting organisations to better understand how they can create policies that truly support the diversity of workforces is my jam.
To discuss the ways that I can help you including paid-for services: my business case template letter to your Manager and 1:1 session on managing objections that could come up so that your request is accepted, complete the form which is in the link in bio.
For enquiries about my corporate services, you can email me at oliviabath@thewomensvault.com or complete the form in the link in my bio.
Olivia
* Source – Ipsos Report 2021: 44% per cent of working adults, have caring responsibilities and women found they do more even when they are the joint carer.
Anyone else had a day like I did last week? 👋
You’re rushing around, ready to deliver an important presentation to a bunch of Executives and you have Spag Bol for lunch…and you’re wearing white. I know the world feels a bit heavy right now and there’s a lot going on…This was a very normal moment in my week last week and I hope it resonates with you. Olivia x
Anyone else had a day like I did last week? 👋
You’re rushing around, ready to deliver an important presentation to a bunch of Executives and you have Spag Bol for lunch…and you’re wearing white. I know the world feels a bit heavy right now and there’s a lot going on…This was a very normal moment in my week last week and I hope it resonates with you. Olivia x
I’ve been doing a bit of reflecting on what I love to do, how to make a difference and have the greatest impact…
Here’s some of the ways I do that. I’ve got a some capacity in 2024 and was last night booked for a big project for Jan and Feb 2024 which I’m so excited about!
Please send me a DM or email if you’d like to organise a time to chat about how I can help you or your business.
Olivia x
I’ve been doing a bit of reflecting on what I love to do, how to make a difference and have the greatest impact…
Here’s some of the ways I do that. I’ve got a some capacity in 2024 and was last night booked for a big project for Jan and Feb 2024 which I’m so excited about!
Please send me a DM or email if you’d like to organise a time to chat about how I can help you or your business.
Olivia x
I recently did a speech on Imposter Syndrome to a company and I was struck by how many women and men shared the situations where they don’t feel confident. When they didn’t believe in themselves.
So my message for your today is…you are stronger and more capable than you dare yourself to believe. So keep going! Keep trying! Don’t give up. I believe in you.
I’m taking bookings for 2024 for coaching and my Imposter Syndrome talks and Manager workshop. To find out more, DM me.
Olivia x
I recently did a speech on Imposter Syndrome to a company and I was struck by how many women and men shared the situations where they don’t feel confident. When they didn’t believe in themselves.
So my message for your today is…you are stronger and more capable than you dare yourself to believe. So keep going! Keep trying! Don’t give up. I believe in you.
I’m taking bookings for 2024 for coaching and my Imposter Syndrome talks and Manager workshop. To find out more, DM me.
Olivia x
Happy 5th Birthday to my darling boy who made me a Mummy. I couldn’t have imagined how much fun (or exhausting) it would be 💕
Happy 5th Birthday to my darling boy who made me a Mummy. I couldn’t have imagined how much fun (or exhausting) it would be 💕
Are any nodding at any of these?
If you are being overlooked at work, very likely you need to work on boosting your own visibility.
Never fear of coming across arrogant or too big for your boots. Learn to articulate your strengths and share the work you do. Loudly.
The Working Mum`s toolkit is full of confidence boosting, imposter busting, boundary setting tools – and it`s only £37. Download your kit today.
Olivia
#workfromhomemum #workfromhomeonline #workfromwhereever #PersonalBrandingTips #PersonalBrandingExpert #PersonalBranding101 #LifeOfAWorkingMum #MumInBusiness #WorkingMumLife #UKMums #MumsBossUK #HerBusiness #MotherhoodGoals #UKMumSquad #MoreThanAMum
Are any nodding at any of these?
If you are being overlooked at work, very likely you need to work on boosting your own visibility.
Never fear of coming across arrogant or too big for your boots. Learn to articulate your strengths and share the work you do. Loudly.
The Working Mum`s toolkit is full of confidence boosting, imposter busting, boundary setting tools – and it`s only £37. Download your kit today.
Olivia
#workfromhomemum #workfromhomeonline #workfromwhereever #PersonalBrandingTips #PersonalBrandingExpert #PersonalBranding101 #LifeOfAWorkingMum #MumInBusiness #WorkingMumLife #UKMums #MumsBossUK #HerBusiness #MotherhoodGoals #UKMumSquad #MoreThanAMum
