How to find a family friendly workplace?
The UK National Health System (NHS) was named as one of the Top 20 employers for those with families*. However how do you tell if the hospital or private care provider that you are going to work for is living up to the NHS standards? How do you know if a workplace is family friendly?
Actions speak louder than words. When
researching a potential employer check out policies and workplace
routines that will make it easier for you to work and deal with
family commitments.
Find out whether the organisation offers:
- Part-time or flexible working
- Help with organising or paying for childcare
- A working parents group (if not, what's the management's view
on starting one?)
- The option for a career break
You should also find out about maternity and paternity leave,
pay and conditions. You might not be planning another baby but
discovering how the company treats expectant parents will give you
an insight into its general attitude to parenting.
A great opportunity to discover many of the answers to the above
questions is in the job interview. You could ask:
- What family-friendly policies do you have in place?
- Do you offer childcare support?
- How many women return to work after maternity leave?
- How many people work flexibly?
Copyright and Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/emotional_health/work_life_balance/betterbalance_workplaces.shtml
*As named in the UK Top Employers for Working Families 2009
awards
http://www.topemployersforworkingfamilies.org.uk/index.php/archive/2009