flexible work

Over the weekend my "wife" had to quit to watch her nephew while her sister tutors. And now I am scrambling to find a replacement. My husband just returned to work from paternity leave and so I am back to conference calls hoping my youngest will map and my oldest will play quietly for 15 minutes.

This morning I went into my daughters' playroom and watched my three year old arrange blocks in a checkerboard pattern.  I asked her what she was up to and got no response.  Then I asked her if she was focused, and she replied "I can't talk right now, I am focused."  Just like all of us, when she is focused on her task or project, she can accomplish a great deal in a concentrated time.

I went to a great conference yesterday hosted by Flexperience on Flexibility in the work place.   They had some smart, articulate speakers from major corporations who are doing the flexibility thing.  I turned to my friend Catherine, from YourOnRamp, and said they get it, almost.  And she nodded.

What they know:  There is value to flexibility to an employer

Thinking about a new career direction?  Not sure if you are ready to take the leap into a new industry?  Meet Louisa Shields, Public School Administrator (former Management Consultant) and Bay Area mother of 3 young children.

Describe your career when you became a mom.
After my son was born, I returned to the same company,
Deloitte Consulting, and continued to pursue a partner
path in strategic management consulting.  However, I
had also negotiated a three-day, no travel work

Thinking about a new career direction? Not sure if you are ready to take the leap into a new industry? Meet Louisa Shields, Public School Administrator (former Management Consultant) and Bay Area mother of 3 young children.

Describe your career when you became a mom.
After my son was born, I returned to the same company,
Deloitte Consulting, and continued to pursue a partner
path in strategic management consulting. However, I
had also negotiated a three-day, no travel work

Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin are the authors of  Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-At-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work, a book offering strategy and advice to women resuming careers after extended time at home with children. With nine kids between them, Carol and Vivian have both taken time away from their demanding careers and have successfully returned to the workforce.

Carol Fishman Cohen and Vivian Steir Rabin are the authors of  Back on the Career Track: A Guide for Stay-At-Home Moms Who Want to Return to Work, a book offering strategy and advice to women resuming careers after extended time at home with children.

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Jul 19th 2007
From The Economist print edition
Female employees need different career paths