Part Time Working
An interview with a part time working mother
With our focus firmly on part time working this week, we spoke to Claire Innes. Claire is mummy to Charlotte, who turns 1 at the end of July. Claire finished her maternity leave in April and returned to work in a part time capacity. I spoke to Claire about her return to work…

Did you change your job/career path after having children?
Yes
Why?
I took voluntary redundancy when I was pregnant because it put me in a more comfortable position financially and meant I could go back to a less stressful job when I was ready.
How does your job now differ to the one you had before having children?
I have much less responsibility and therefore less stress which allows me a better work/life balance.
What change(s) would you make to your current job to make it more family friendly?
Perhaps that I could work from home 1 day per week.
What would that offer you?
It would offer me the choice to do my work in the evening when Charlotte is asleep, allowing me more time to spend with her. I think you get more out of people when you allow them some flexibility and choice in their hours.
If you were seeking new employment now, what things would attract you to an employer?
I’d now look for a smaller, family run business as opposed to a larger corporate company because then I am more valued as a person and am not just a number. Flexibility and agile working would also be high on my list of priorities.
What’s your top tip for MumtiTasking?!
Don’t stress or put yourself under too much pressure to do everything, housework can wait, as can many things. So try and achieve one or two things per day and celebrate what you have done rather than focusing on what you haven’t.
