Why part-time and flexible?

Why are all our candidates looking for part-time or flexible jobs?

Most people assume that part-time and flexible roles are just for mums. Well, that’s mostly true, but there are other motives as diverse as our candidates.

Many of Ten2Two Hampshire’s candidates are mothers, and increasingly fathers, looking for a role that fits around their family commitments. They may have a had a career break to bring up children who are now at school age and are re-entering the workplace and re-establishing their careers. As one candidate said, “I want the best of both worlds – rewarding work and a happy family”. As we know only too well, schools that are open from 9am until 3pm don’t exactly fit in with a 9 to 5 job!

Some of our candidates want a part-time job so they can enjoy their hobbies, or so they can fit work around voluntary commitments such as working for a charity or in a school or church. Others have already had a successful career and now don’t feel the need or desire to work full-time.

We also have several people registered with us who have a portfolio career, splitting their time and skills between two or more different part-time jobs. They are people who may be looking for variety by contract or project working, which suits companies who want experienced workers without increasing their headcount, or are people who want to mix employment and self-employment without too much risk. Occasionally these are very senior professionals who contribute to several companies through directorships or advisory roles.

Flexible working appeals to parents particularly, enabling them to work school hours in an office, pick children up from school and finish their work when the children are doing homework or are in bed. Others want to be able to mix long days with shorter days, depending on the support network available to them, while some parents want the flexibility to choose the hours they work in an office so they can attend their children’s milestones such as school plays or sports days (which are never conveniently on a weekend!)

Commuting continues to play its part in the demand for flexible roles. We currently spend 27 days a year commuting, so having scheduled days working from home allows people to work longer hours without the stress and wasted time of sitting in traffic, as we know to our cost on our commutes around Winchester, Camberley, Farnham and Wokingham. One of our members said, “I do a demanding job that I enjoy but with a long commute I constantly feel I’m missing out on my children’s development and feel I’m not doing either very well.”

At the other end of the age scale, we know that some of our candidates are caring for elderly parents or relatives and need more flexibility to look after them and attend hospital appointments.

Whatever your reason, if you or your company are looking for a part-time or flexible role, please call Ten2Two Hampshire on 01252 856862 and talk to Louise or one of the team.