Let’s celebrate the value of part-time employees......

Let’s celebrate the value of part-time employees

The opportunities when it comes to part-time roles and to some extent flexible working, are still very few and far between.

Despite the discussions over the last two-years about how the working world has changed, there is still a need to educate employers about taking on someone on a part-time basis and the immense value they can add to a business.

I found myself made redundant in May 2020, when lockdown was in full swing. Heavily pregnant, I was daunted by having to look for a job again and wondered what lay ahead.

I took some time out to enjoy time with my new baby and family and came back to the job market a year later to explore what options were available.

For me, having two young children and not living close to any family, I made the decision (with my husband) to work three-days-a-week, so I could strike a balance between work and family.

Having kids, far too often, has a huge impact on women and their careers and, especially in the PR and Communications sector, which is made-up by over 68% of women, with more than the majority of leadership roles made up by men.

Until last year, I had never felt in a ‘minority group’ and felt frustrated to be overlooked for opportunities, because of not working 5-days-a-week.

Last November, after many difficult and often upsetting conversations about opportunities, I stumbled across a company called Naimuri. I had never heard of them before, but absolutely loved the way they described what they do, their vision and their values and even more perfectly they were advertising for a part-time marketing and communications role!

Fast-forward three interviews later and I am now working at Naimuri and loving every minute

Whether juggling childcare or other responsibilities, there are loads of talented people (both men and women) out there with tons of experience, passion and energy looking for part-time opportunities and missing out because businesses don’t see the value that someone working fewer than 5-days-a-week can bring to their organisation.

I know not all jobs can work on a part-time basis, but let's create more conversations so we can continue to evolve how we work and the opportunities we create - to shape much a fairer representation of what a wider demographic needs in 2022.