Part-time working

[star_dust]

Hi all - I am mainly a forum lurker, but I would love to hear your experiences regarding part-time working or even your thoughts on the matter. I have only worked in the US for 4 years out in California and have spent most of my time working for consulting firms out here - so my view on this is very limited.

I'm american living in England with my husband and 8 month old daughter. We've been living out here for 6 years now (my dh is english) and we'd like to move back to the US (probably Chicago area) in a year or 2, but I am worried that employers would not be receptive to employing me part time. Working part-time is not a problem at all for me here, but I miss my family and career mobility. I am an urban planner and there are plenty of jobs in this field in the US. However, there are not that many women working professionally in this field in the US and I have never seen a job advertized as part-time.

I would like to work part-time mainly because my daughter is visually impaired and would like to help her a bit more with this and money isn't a problem. At the same time, I am very committed to my career and love working. I would also like to go back to work full-time eventually. As a woman in the UK I am finding it difficult career-wise as nobody expects me to want to work since my dh can 'support' me. So, my aspirations are not taken seriously whatsoever, especially now that I have a child.

It's all a bit frustrating! I wish I felt like I had more options. So, what do you all think? And how should I approach the issue with employers? Is it doable or completely unrealistic? Thanks!

 

[melimcn]

I think it depends 100% on WHAT you want to do.

I'm a Chicago resident, and there are a lot of places that employ part time.

If you are looking for part time employment in a corporate environment, that may become more difficult, again, depending on the role you'd like.
We have a lot of folks that have hourly or part time employment at my company, but they are typically in support type roles. In my organization, if you are in a sales or executive role, you typically do not have the option to go with flex or part time until you have some tenure.

But honeslty, there are a LOT of different options out there, so I would not be concerned about this. You can start your research by companies with part time employment on the web. Check out www.careerbuilder.com, as a good starting point.

Hope that's helpful!

 

[Manmohini]

I hate to be a downer, but you might check out Mary Ann Mason's "Mothers on the Fast Track" (2007, Cambridge University Press). As a professional woman and soon-to-be mother, I can testify to how impossibly backwards (and anti-woman) policies are in most workplaces in America. It seems we still don't get that women are major players in the workplace and that the new family needs to be accomodated. Nationally, we have no paid maternity/paternity leave, not to mention subsidized child care. Many employers are rigid and have not even begun to entertain flex-time. (There are a token few businesses and institutions that actually treat people well, so I'd do research on them). But all in all, when it comes to family consideration/leave, America is at the bottom of the list of industrialized countries. It's shameful really.

Sorry I couldn't be much more help. I myself am on my own when it comes to juggling career and children.
Manmohini

 

[star_dust]

Thanks for the responses so far...I agree that America is very behind in its workplace attitudes. Shockingly so. Families are not a high priority at all - I agree with everything you have said Manmohini.

Britain has all of the policies that you describe. And it has been nice. Howevever, I feel like they don't expect women to have a career and I am not taken seriously. I am the token female in the office. My place is in the home. Whereas, in the US, professional women are supposed to be superwomen and juggle it all. In the UK, we are supposed maintain our focus and be mothers - nothing else. Not to mention I cannot practice professionally as an urban planner in the UK because the formal regulating body (rtpi) has stated that american planners are inferior.

It's a no win situation wherever I live. But, my daughter would get better medical care in the US. We would actually be able to live in a decent sized house (it costs $555/sq ft in our area and it's not even considered desireable by British standards). My husband also prefers working with americans, he could just transfer offices and feels there are too many class barriers in the UK.

I have also thought of trying to freelance - maybe that would be an option.

Manmohini, You say you are on your own with this - we shouldn't be on our own - none of us.

 

[steppin out]

I have to chime in here and say I really think it depends on the company. I have been working part time for 8 years and not at the same job. My first job after I had my child was working at a boutique as a bookkeeper (I lost the job I had before having my child due to corporate restructuring). It wasn't a very challenging position, but allowed me to work two days a week. The position I have now is a staff accountant at a property management company. I began this job working 20 hours a week, but have increased the hours to 26 per week (once my son began full days of school). So, part time jobs are out there. It just takes some time to find them.

Not sure if an urban planner would be able to have the same flexibility, but it is certainly worth checking into.

Good luck!

 

[debgore]

You could always check into government employment. I have worked in several government offices that have at least some part-time positions. I currently work as an Assistant Attorney General at the state level and I work 20 hours a week. (I essentially "share" a 40-hour position with another woman.) It is so ideal with two young children. I am not familiar with what types of government jobs exist in your profession, but perhaps it's worth a look.