Working Moms Dilemma: Determining if a Prospective Employer Offers Flexibilty on the Job

Posted by Charlene Prince Birkeland

Flexibility in the workplace is clearly one of the top concerns for working moms. But for moms re-entering the workforce, or looking to switch jobs in search of a more family-friendly employer, flexibility on the job is the concern.

Two questions that often come up when working moms are looking for a new job are: 1) how they can determine if the company is supportive of job flexibility and 2) how, and or at what point, should they tell a prospective employer that they want job flexibility.

I recently spoke with Marcee Harris, the director of advisory services for Catalyst, a research and advisory organization to advance women in business. Of course, there’s no simple answer to either question. As is the everyday life of a working mom, determining if you can obtain flexibility in the workplace is a true balancing act.

The best tip Harris offers can be summed up in one word: research.

As with any job interviewee – working mama or not – the first step Harris recommends is that you conduct your due diligence. Many organizations post their workplace policies and programs online and in recruiting materials.  You should become familiar with the job flexibility policies offered. Scour the Internet for articles on the company. Are they touted as having best practices for employees? Are they listed as a family-friendly employer?  And lastly, conduct research on competitors – know what they are offering in terms of flexibility on the job.

Use your research and the company’s materials as a starting point during the interview, e.g., “I’ve done some research…” This approach reflects well on the interviewee and also helps her gauge whether the company is walking the talk. Says Harris, “Being as strategic and savvy as you can will be helpful.”

And how much should you say about your job-flexibility requirements?

“There is probably some fear, ‘If I ask for X, they are going to cut me out of the running.’ Do you really work for an organization that sees it like that? It’s a balance. It’s not the first question you want to ask,” she said.

Again, toss on a reporter’s hat and probe. Harris suggests prospective working mamas look beyond formal policies and examine something even more telling: informal job flexibility practices. How do people handle flexibilty their schedule for business and personal needs. How do employees work from home?  Do they work from home? What are the technology supports to be able to work remotely?

“It gives you a sense of the cultural norms in terms of flexibility,” said Harris, adding that you might find that the job flexibility you’re looking for may not even need to be negotiated. It’s just part of an everyday work situation. “If what the individual wants is to work FT but have control over where and when they do the work, that informal flexibility should go a long way,” she added.

While many employers still hold tight to old-school work practices and are not as supportive of job flexibility, the good news for working moms is that this issue is fast becoming a hot topic and as Harris points out, part of “the DNA” of large corporations. Nonetheless, it’s always going to be easier for working moms to negotiate the schedule of their dreams, or even what I call the “get by schedule”, once employed by the company.

“Haven proven that you are professional, that you are dedicated employee, that your co-workers and clients see you as an asset that they want to hold on to…it’s easier to build a business case,” said Harris.

Side note: Payscale’s Salary Reporter, Kristina Cowan, offers excellent advice for full-time moms looking to re-enter the job market -- from getting up to speed on your field to updating your wardrobe.