I was recently laid off from my fully remote talent acquisition role and I’m having a very hard time finding a role that is sympathetic of a mothers schedule, I just counted how many days my 6 yr old daughter has off from school September- June and it’s 34 days!

10 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 4:31PM UTC

   Yes, there are a lot of companies who support working parents. This is an overly-broad statement that's not necessarily representative of everyone's experience. You will likely need to look at a combo of PTO days, baby sitters, coverage with other parents, family members, etc.

   This reverse engineering of PTO isn't unique to you, and it's most definitely not an attack on us as parents and mothers. But I'm not sure a potential employer is on deck to cover ALL of our kids time off from school. 20-30 days is very generous...you'll need to piece together the rest.

2. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 6:11PM UTC

   I was simply looking for reassurance that there are good companies out there, not making a statement.

   I understand that it won’t be perfect, regardless of the company or role. I was genuinely curious how other working parents cover these days.

3. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 4:40PM UTC

   A few comments:

   1) Who was watching your daughter previously when you were working? You couldn't possibly be giving full attention to your work with a 5/6 year-old home with you, and I find it hard to believe your previous employer was ok with that without you taking PTO.

   2) 20-30 days PTO is 4-6 weeks. That's really good in the US, you'll have a hard time finding more.

   3) Have you looked into options for the days your daughter is off? Around me, many places do mini-camps for school breaks, there are one or two week soccer/sports camps, arts camps, and a local theater does performing arts camps. Even for four day weekends some are offered. You could sign your daughter up for things like this and save your time off for larger holidays and vacations.

4. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 6:06PM UTC

   I’m not asking for more PTO, more looking for understanding from an employer. My previous role was flexible with the hours I worked , so when she was home, I’d work a few hours during the day and a few hours after she went to bed. In my experience I have not found daycare programs for school age children. All of her grandparents live too far away to help us out. Her school does not offer before school care or after school care.

5. Deb StricklandMarch 20,2024 at 7:44PM UTC

   Yeh, 20-30 days is way more PTO than I got from any employer especially starting out. Most jobs PTO is accrued starting at a piddling 7-10 days. You really lucked out with your last job. They'd have to give the same flexibility to all employees, not just parents. It's always a huge struggle with kids. Many jobs have lots of meetings and you can't be interrupted all the time. And being a recruiter you're on the phone a lot though it's probably more 1:1 with potential candidates than bigger team meetings.

6. Debra BishopMarch 20,2024 at 6:17PM UTC

   Have you considered a part-time recruiting remote contract? Put your profile on LinkedIn if not already on there. Most want 20-30 hours a week & pay $20-75/an hour dependent on your area of expertise. If you work 30 hours a week you can search and email candidates 5-8am & if needed make your calls when your daughter naps.

7. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 6:39PM UTC

   There are plenty of employers that support working parents (and other forms of caregivers). You do not say whether or not you live with your child's other parent - and I know this is not what you are asking, but are you able to share parenting responsibilities with the other parent? My job has always been a Monday through Friday 8ish to whenever I wrap up for the day/evening and my husband has absorbed a lot daytime responsibilities, especially when our daughter was younger (he was 2nd shift for much of her younger years, 4 days on/2 days off). Also, and I know you probably don't want to hear this and are probably sick of hearing this is more likely, TA rules are, in general, a bit harder to come by right now.

   If you really want a parent-schedule-friendly environment, perhaps consider moving to Europe.

8. AnonymousMarch 20,2024 at 6:59PM UTC

   It looks like your best alternative is to look for a part-time position while your children are young and require your time during working hours.

9. JessMarch 21,2024 at 1:13PM UTC

   I have not seen any companies that actually support parents. In fact, any company that claims they are flexible for parents but only gives you 10 days of PTO a year (which is the most I have ever been offered) is an immediate red flag for me.

10. AnonymousMarch 22,2024 at 2:12AM UTC

    I'm sorry about the layoff.

    I know FT/ remote work with the schedule you need is tough/ impossible to find. Everyone has different priorities. If your top priority is schedule (WFH or flex or remote), looking at how companies schedule the work may be a way to shape your search (and interview questions). Here are some suggestions: Have you considered PT work, shift work, or virtual assistant work (usually advertised on their own sites or Freelance sites)? Some local "hybrid" jobs are actually flexible to allow WFH or leaving early to pick up children--once you're an employee or after first 30-ish days (listed as a perk esp. for places where salaries may be less than their competitors). Careful if they say "unlimited PTO"---usually means work hard, no life. Some local businesses and schools can be sympathetic. E-learning and customer service teams from mid-size/large companies. Additionally, some neighborhoods/ associations can support after school programs (program grants or pupil scholarships- e.g. we have a women's club that does just that). Have you considered going into business for yourself (or a combination of PT job and side hustle)? I wish you and your daughter well.