Contractor Mums

[bluedrop]

Hi All,
I am a contractor and a mom to a toddler. My son goes to a nursery. Since I worked close to home (15 mins away) I had no probs until now. Looks like my contract will not be extended now and so I'll have to look for work in the City. That means 1hr commute each way. Nursery timings 8am to 6pm.

I am wondering if 8-4 work day is a feasible option for contractors? (So that my partner drops him off at 8 and I collect him in the evening) Would managers fuss about 4pm leaving? yes, I am aware of the other "timings" thread, but I'd like to hear from you (specifically) if you know how your contractor-mom colleagues/friends manage. Appreciate inputs.

[TykeMerc]

As a PM I've had to deal quite often with this situation, I never see an issue with it so long as the deliverables are produced to schedule. Mind you I don't believe in bum on seat management.

It's a lottery, some managers can't cope with flexibility or subtly different hours, plenty of others don't care, I don't think you can assume much from people's experiences as it's luck of the draw.

[northernladuk]

It is perfectly feasible and correct that your working times should be flexible to suit your lifestyle as a mum and the last few large clients I worked for had plenty of people doing an 8-4. Also people doing 10-6's so plenty of flexibility. I can't see it a problem in most cases. Problems might arise for smaller companies or one with stricter hours.

I would, however, not mention it at interview directly. Just subtly ask what the working hours are and gauge their reaction. If you say you can only do these hours it could put you out of favour in a tough market.

To be fair if the client imposes times on you that don't meet what you want I would guess you need to look at IR35 more closely at those gigs as well.

[Wanderer]

I am wondering if 8-4 work day is a feasible option for contractors?

Tricky one. If it were a permie job then there is a statutory right to flexible working hours for parents and a number of other benefits. Of course these laws don't apply to contractors but they are slowly changing the culture of businesses so they are becoming more open about flexible working arrangements. I guess you are going to have to take each contract as it comes. It's probably easier if you get established in fairly long term contracts rather than a load of short term ones.

When I had to adjust to a difficult home situation I took a permie job for a few years. A sympathetic employer helped me through tough times and once things were more settled I went back to contracting. I don't mean that to sound condescending, I know permiedom is a rude word to most of us but it may be a viable option if you get the right offer.

[Casablanca]

could work ok

I've been lucky enough to work a 4 day week for my last two contracts and I start shortly after 9am to allow me to do nursery drop-off. My husband adjusted his hours with his employer (permie) so he leaves at 4:30 and does nursery collection. That way each of us are able to be flexible with regard to hours i.e. I can work later, my husband can start earlier. I think as long as you are able to explain you are flexible at one end of the working day and not they other you should be ok.

I have a 2.5yr old and am due another shortly. The real challenge I think is not at nursery age but when they are at school and you have to juggle pre and post school clubs/childminders etc and I'm in a city where there is no state schooling on Friday afternoons . I'm just hoping 4 days a week can continue and that being a contractor I can manage extended time off during school hols more easily than a permie with set holiday allowance. Trying not to think too hard about it...too scary