BY Rebecca Garland
Working mothers may have more options than they think when it comes down to office locations. Making the decision to work at home can offer a mom everything she wants.
For many career women, it is a dream to take the job they enjoy and transfer it to where they want to be – at home with family. Some jobs just don’t transfer well, but many others, including ones that may not immediately spring to mind, have options available if company and working mother are willing to make the switch.
Telecommute
The most publicized way of working at home is to take an existing career and simply change offices. The home office replaces the business office, and email and telephone help bridge the gap. These working mothers must often still work during traditional business hours, but with reliable childcare in the home or more limited hours at a day care or school, there is still more time in the day for family. Some companies are willing to allow working moms to stay home a few days a week, which is still better than not having any time to work at home.
Off Hours
Some lines of work are more flexible and do not require standard business hours. These lucky work-at-home moms can spend the day with their children and focus on projects or whatever work is waiting in their in-box during naps and evenings. This leaves little leisure time, but it works for quite a few mothers. The more flexibility a working mother has during the day, the better she is able to manage her many workloads.
Change Departments
If a mother is in a position where she simply can’t take the job home, such as a teacher or manager, she might consider changing departments or taking a lateral move. This decision resides on the mother, but will need permission from an employer as well. Many employers would rather accommodate a working mother than lose her completely, but the mother should approach this decision carefully as it may have a lasting impression on her career ladder potential.
Self-Employment
If all else fails, many mothers leave a traditional place of employment to find a career that is more flexible. Some work-at-home moms host various parties for scrap booking or interior decorating. Others take up a freelance version of an older career. Still others look into working on items such as transcribing records or data entry for companies that can be done on a flexible schedule. This option holds the most flexibility, but it also has the largest risk factors in terms of salary and benefits. There may be no benefits and income can be highly volatile.
Working mothers may have more options than they think when it comes down to office locations. Making the decision to work at home can offer a mom everything she wants.
For many career women, it is a dream to take the job they enjoy and transfer it to where they want to be – at home with family. Some jobs just don’t transfer well, but many others, including ones that may not immediately spring to mind, have options available if company and working mother are willing to make the switch.
Telecommute
The most publicized way of working at home is to take an existing career and simply change offices. The home office replaces the business office, and email and telephone help bridge the gap. These working mothers must often still work during traditional business hours, but with reliable childcare in the home or more limited hours at a day care or school, there is still more time in the day for family. Some companies are willing to allow working moms to stay home a few days a week, which is still better than not having any time to work at home.
Off Hours
Some lines of work are more flexible and do not require standard business hours. These lucky work-at-home moms can spend the day with their children and focus on projects or whatever work is waiting in their in-box during naps and evenings. This leaves little leisure time, but it works for quite a few mothers. The more flexibility a working mother has during the day, the better she is able to manage her many workloads.
Change Departments
If a mother is in a position where she simply can’t take the job home, such as a teacher or manager, she might consider changing departments or taking a lateral move. This decision resides on the mother, but will need permission from an employer as well. Many employers would rather accommodate a working mother than lose her completely, but the mother should approach this decision carefully as it may have a lasting impression on her career ladder potential.
Self-Employment
If all else fails, many mothers leave a traditional place of employment to find a career that is more flexible. Some work-at-home moms host various parties for scrap booking or interior decorating. Others take up a freelance version of an older career. Still others look into working on items such as transcribing records or data entry for companies that can be done on a flexible schedule. This option holds the most flexibility, but it also has the largest risk factors in terms of salary and benefits. There may be no benefits and income can be highly volatile.
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