ways2work - Parents and carers
Reviewing your job
Remember the nerves, excitement and anticipation of those early days when you returned to work?
By now you have a good sense of the culture in your workplace. You’ll know where you fit in and whether or not you feel comfortable. If things aren't so good, it’s time to look at some improvements. Ask yourself:
- how do I feel about my job?
- am I enjoying the experience?
- is it everything I had hoped it would be?
- and what would I change if I could?
Take the Am I Happy in My Job quiz to reflect on how things are going.
Making improvements
Your professional and personal needs are important. If you want to change your working conditions, you have every right to raise this with your employer.
Step 1 – Be prepared
The key to successfully re-negotiating your arrangements is to come prepared.
To help you to identify what you’re happy and not happy with, complete the Balancing it All checklist.
Do some research:
- what conditions and arrangements are working well for your co-workers and friends?
- see the Family Friendly Practices (PDF 86kb) fact sheet to see different types of work arrangements and find out which are available in your workplace
- clarify your expectations by completing the What I Want (PDF 80kb) checklist
Step 2 – Renegotiating: it's a two way street
Making the case for a change in work arrangements – particularly in making your working conditions more family friendly – is often employee led. With new legislation being introduced in Victoria, it is even more important that if you want your employer to accommodate your parental or carer responsibilities, you need to make the request.
You will find more information on this in Your rights, responsibilities and entitlements and also in Family Responsibilities - Guidelines for Employers and Employees, a publication produced by Industrial Relations Victoria and the Victorian Equal Rights and Human Rights Commission.
When you make this request to your employer, consider how you’re going to persuade them that this is the best course of action for you and for their business. Make sure you give them sufficient notice of your intentions.
When you sit down with your employer, discuss:
- how this change will affect the service you provide and your work output
- how all your duties will still get done – will additional cover be needed when you’re not available
- will there be an impact on your work colleagues, and if so, how could this be addressed
- the direct benefits to the business of the new arrangements
Open communication is vital. Address any concerns with your employer and work together for a mutually satisfactory outcome. Agree on a realistic timeframe for when these changes will be implemented and reviewed.
Myth: I'm responsible for my own work life balance
Reality: Achieving work life balance is a shared responsibility between you, your family and your employer. You need to accept personal responsibility for what you plan to achieve and your employer needs to be receptive to creating a supportive workplace. It’s a two way street.
Step 3 – Document the outcome
Once you've reached agreement, make sure the new arrangement is documented so that both you and your employer understand what’s been decided.
Step 4 – Review how it's working
Set a time to review how the new arrangements are working. It's important to assess and review the impact of these strategies.
Tell Us Your Story.
We'd like to hear from you about your experiences of balancing work and family.