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Flexible working gives you more control over your life. When you find ways to work flexibly that are useful for you, you can have more time and energy to dedicate to your family and other commitments. There are multiple different ways to work more flexibly, whether you want to do so within your current job or you want to find other opportunities to give you flexible working options. You can change the hours that you work, which days of the week you work, or even when you take breaks or have periods when you’re not working. Here are some of the options that you have.
Negotiate with Your Employer
If you’re currently employed, one of the ways you might be able to work more flexibly is by negotiating with your employer. Many employers are happy to offer flexible working to employees because they recognize that it can be good for productivity. It allows people to take care of their other commitments so that they’re able to focus while they’re at work. Flexible working could include being able to set your hours for starting and finishing work, as well as when you take your breaks. As long as you complete your required work hours, it benefits you and your employer.
Set Out on Your Own
When you’re tired of working for someone else, you can consider setting out on your own. Working for yourself can give you full control over what you do with your time. You can work as much or as little as you like, depending on your income needs. You could start by getting some appropriate training in the industry you’re interested in. With ASFA’s Wellness Coach Certification, you could become a health and fitness coach helping others. It’s easy to pick up some tech skills by completing a course if you’re interested in entering the tech industry too.
Work Part-Time
Part-time work can be really useful for parents. It makes it easier to fit your work around your family, whether that means working while your children are at school or while they’re being cared for by someone else. Part-time work can often be shift work too, which can be arranged to fit around your other commitments. Some part-time jobs are perfect for working during school hours, evenings, or other times that might be more convenient for you. It’s also a good way to ease back into full-time work after being at home.
Take Temporary Contracts
Some people don’t want to work all the time, but are interested in working for shorter periods. Taking temporary contracts and roles can be ideal if you don’t want to be tied down to one job. You can choose to work on a project for weeks or months, then take a break once your contract is over if you want to. Working as a contractor is one way to do this, or signing up with a temping agency is another option.
Making your work more flexible can help you to balance your life and enjoy it how you want to.
