The job-seeking landscape has become increasingly more impersonal with the use of computers for sending and screening resumes. Therefore, the challenge is how to personalize the process to get your message to the right person. Good communication can set you apart from others, and it’s vital for finding flexible opportunities that aren’t advertised. I’m not … Continue reading Finding FlexWork: Part II – Communication →

When other attorney moms hear that I work part-time, one of their first questions is, “How did you find a part-time job?!”  In a nutshell, the answer is “I asked for it.” In fact, my current job is the third law firm where I’ve worked part-time. That means it’s not luck, and you can do … Continue reading Finding FlexWork: Part I – Job Resources →

My version of FlexWork includes hourly wages, which means my paycheck can fluctuate depending on the exact number of hours I bill in a given week. I don’t earn any income on sick days or while on vacation, so having a healthy savings in place helps our family maintain financial stability. Our overall savings account … Continue reading Financial flexibility helps make FlexWork work! →

In addition to the employment benefits previously discussed, attorneys need to think through professional expenses when they consider flexible work arrangements. For the expenses I bear personally as an independent contractor, I keep track so I can deduct them from my federal income taxes. Every dollar I can keep feels good! The expenses discussed below … Continue reading Professional Expenses for FlexWorkers →

Let’s continue discussing benefits. My intention is to highlight variables that can be affected when you opt to work flexibly so you can be prepared for financial planning and employment negotiations. No one wants to get caught off-guard having to shoulder unexpected expenses! Retirement As with health insurance, discussed in a prior blog post, whether … Continue reading Benefits options for FlexWorkers: Retirement, Leave, and Other Work-related Expenses →

A recent article in the New York Times discusses research on gender gaps in seniority and pay, arguing that long hours and the expectation of constant connectivity are driving highly educated moms to take less demanding jobs so their husbands can take more demanding ones. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/26/upshot/women-long-hours-greedy-professions.html?emc=edit_na_20190426&nl=breaking-news&nlid=16198882ing-news&ref=cta It's a very interesting article, and there are plenty … Continue reading Unused career potential? Not in my book! →

Health coverage has been an annual headache for our family. In years when I haven’t been eligible for a law firm’s coverage, I’ve maintained individual policies primarily through the Texas state bar association. I appreciate that those plans allow me to have group coverage. However, even those have become more and more expensive for less … Continue reading Benefits options for FlexWorkers: Health Insurance →

When designing a flexible work proposal, be sure to think through the issue of employment status. Knowing how it affects you will help you negotiate. I’ve worked part-time as an employee and as an independent contractor, and each capacity has its benefits and drawbacks. The choice hasn’t always been mine, but I will say that … Continue reading FlexWork as an Independent Contractor or an Employee? →

A huge question for moms considering more flexible job arrangements is how will I be paid?  I’m happy to accept hugs as payment for my mom duties—especially when they come from surly teenagers—but my attorney duties are another matter. I like my wages to be in proportion to the work I do!   Reduced salary … Continue reading Pay Structures for FlexWork →

Over the years of working part-time, I’ve learned how to translate between an annual salary with benefits and an hourly rate so I can keep an eye on wages. I’ve had to start at the bottom a couple times when accepting jobs at new firms, but over time, my rate increased as the firms got … Continue reading Let’s talk numbers! →