Unpacking the Desire for Flexibility
There have been tremendous strides made over the last few years to support women who want to return to work. Many large companies have created internship programs to help women re-start their careers and there are a ton of organizations dedicated to teaching women relevant skills for re-entering the workforce. LinkedIn has even developed functionality to help individuals describe any pauses in their professional journey. As women have begun to feel more supported in their desire to return to work, one common theme that continues to impede progress is the real or perceived fear of losing flexibility. After stepping away from a traditional office setting and focusing on activities outside the “8-5” time frame, it’s natural to feel intimidated by a rigid structure. Even if the work is interesting, the compensation is fair and the culture is supportive, the idea of losing control over their schedule can keep a woman from taking her dream job.
An obvious response to alleviate the concerns about flexibility would be to point out the thousands of flexible work programs that have spawned in the last decade (and were only multiplied due to the Pandemic). In some cases, knowledge of these arrangements can help someone focus on specific jobs or companies to explore. However, mentally detaching from being the controller of your own schedule requires more mental energy than just learning about new programs. In every introductory conversation I have with women who are returning to work, they share a strong desire to maintain their flexibility. This one word, albeit a large driver of workplace satisfaction, can derail a job search before it has even started. Unpacking the desire for flexibility can oftentimes lead to a more fruitful career planning journey and it starts with a few key questions:
What are you scared of missing? As a primary caretaker, the focus is oftentimes on meeting the immediate needs of others. A more rigid schedule can create a fear that something may happen and you won’t be able to respond. In reality, emergencies and significant events outside of work happen to everyone at some point and, there is almost always a way to manage through the situation. Pursue a work environment that emphasizes collaboration and try to replace your “what if” concerns with the comfort of being on a strong team that supports one another.
What is non-negotiable to you? “I want flexibility” can have many meanings and using a generic phrase to describe your preferences can prematurely push you out of consideration for an opportunity. Before you fully launch into your return to work effort, reflect on what employment conditions are truly non-negotiable to you. Consider specific categories such as travel requirements, geographic location, hours and work location. There is a strong likelihood that your criteria will align to many open positions and being intentional with what really matters will allow you to cast a wider net.
Are you seeking flexibility or independence? For some women, the desire for flexibility is really a desire to make their own choices on when and where to work. They are confident in their ability to perform and subscribing to a set schedule or location may have a negative impact on their productivity or engagement. Certain jobs and companies are more conducive to someone seeking this level of independence. If you are seeking autonomy, you may need to narrow your search to positions that align with your preferences. However, it is also important to remember independence often happens after building a trusted relationship with your manager and colleagues. Your expectations may be better met if you explore opportunities where autonomy is cultivated and there are people and policies in place that will help you achieve it - even if it does not happen on day one.
Working on ways to eliminate the fear of losing control over your schedule will not just lead to a more fruitful career search but it will also contribute to a deeper sense of inner peace. In other words, all of the formal work arrangements in the world will not matter if we don’t first accept that the desire for flexibility is layered and worthy of reflection.