Harwood HR Solutions’ Post

🌟 Why Working in Hospitality is Great for Parents 🌟 As a parent, finding a career that offers the right balance between work and family can be challenging. But one industry that offers flexibility and a unique work-life balance is hospitality. Here’s why: 1️⃣ Flexible Shift Patterns: In hospitality, shifts are often varied, making it easier to schedule work around your children’s needs. Whether you’re working mornings, evenings, or weekends, you can often tailor your hours to suit school runs, activities, and family time. 2️⃣ Dynamic Work Environment: Every day is different in hospitality, keeping the job exciting and engaging. It’s a great way to stay sharp while balancing home life. 3️⃣ Career Growth: The hospitality industry offers plenty of opportunities for advancement. As you build experience, there’s the chance to move into managerial roles with greater flexibility in your schedule. 4️⃣ Family-Friendly Teams: Many hospitality businesses understand the importance of family and create supportive environments for working parents, offering parental leave, childcare assistance, and more. In a world where juggling family and work can be tough, hospitality offers a refreshing way to thrive both professionally and personally. 🏨👨👩👧👦 #HospitalityCareers #WorkLifeBalance #FlexibleWork #Parenting #CareerGrowth

As the school term comes to an end, many working parents and guardians know just how challenging it can be to balance childcare and work during the holidays. Even during the school term, the lack of flexibility and understanding can be tough, but school holidays bring an entirely different set of challenges. I've been there, and it can wreak havoc on your mental health. No one should have to choose between their family and their work. It's crucial that workplaces are understanding and offer flexible working options (for everyone, not just parents and guardians). Everyone has commitments outside of work that should take priority. To get the best out of your team, empower them with freedom, understanding, and flexibility. This should be a permanent approach, not just for the six weeks of summer. It’s not just about hours or location as I appreciate some roles are unable to be done from home — but that’s still important—it’s about creating an environment where people feel comfortable voicing their challenges without fearing for their job security. Flexibility isn’t a perk; it’s a necessity for a healthy work-life balance. #WorkLifeBalance #FlexibleWorking #Recruitment

🌞 𝗔 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁'𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 🌞   Struggling to balance work and childcare during the summer holidays? You're not alone! Our latest blog post offers practical tips and solutions for navigating this challenging period. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/ej7E29Qc   At Elevation Recruitment Group, we understand the challenges working parents face, especially during school breaks. Finding a job that supports your family needs is crucial. That's why we specialise in roles with flexible hours, remote work options, and family-friendly policies. 𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸-𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸! 🤝✨   Don't let the summer holidays become a logistical nightmare. Check out our guide to make the most of this time with your kids while managing your work commitments effectively.   𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲! 🌟👨👩👧👦💼   #WorkingParents #SummerHolidays #WorkLifeBalance #FlexibleWorking 

🎉👩👧 School’s out, and many of us will have to navigate the delicate balancing act of work and childcare commitments! My daughter finished college at the end of May (!) and although she doesn’t need me to look after her anymore, we do play taxi driver taking her to work or to meet up with her friends.  Back when she was younger I relied on holiday clubs and, as she outgrew those, we leaned on the generosity of friends who took turns looking after each other's children during the weeks when clubs weren't available. It's a tough juggling act for all of us, but I consider myself incredibly fortunate. As a self-employed individual, I have the flexibility to manage my own diary, and even in my employed days, I was fortunate to work for supportive employers who understood the importance of work-life balance. 💼👨👩👧 Speaking of work-life balance, this year saw changes to flexible working legislation with all employees now having the right to request flexible working from day one. There are likely to be further changes with the new Government wanting to make flexible working a default entitlement unless businesses can justify why it’s not reasonable. Now, you might wonder why employers should embrace these changes beyond compliance. Flexible working offers a plethora of business benefits! It's not just about accommodating school runs or caring for loved ones; it's also about cultivating a happier, more engaged and therefore more productive workforce. Companies that champion flexible working attract top talent, boost employee retention rates, and create a more inclusive environment that celebrates diverse lifestyles. 📈 To all the super parents out there, managing it all – you've got this! 🌟 Let's celebrate the summer chaos with a big grin on our faces, knowing that in the midst of all the juggling, we're raising incredible kids whilst making our mark in our careers! 💪🤩 #FlexibleWorking #WorkLifeBalance #EmployeeEngagement #HRsupport #HRconsultant

Summers can be stressful for employees juggling work and personal responsibilities, from managing childcare to accommodating visitors and dealing with heat. It's a challenging time for many. Employers can ease this burden by offering flexible schedules at work. At Alma, we offer summer hours, allowing employees to work four days a week and take Fridays off, provided they maximize their hours over the four days. We know these steps not only boost employee morale but also enhance productivity and overall well-being, which is crucial in today's dynamic work environment. #EmployeeWellbeing #SummerChallenges #WorkLifeBalance

⚠WARNING POST - Half Term Guilt Alert⚠ Being honest, school holidays is something I really struggle with as a working mum. Half-term can bring a wave of guilt as I find myself juggling work demands and the desire to spend quality time with my kids. Many parents feel torn between wanting to be present for their children’s time off and managing their professional responsibilities. This guilt often comes from: 💔 Missing out on quality time: Parents want to make memories but feel tied to work. 💔 Relying on childcare: Arranging care or activities for children can feel like “farming” them out. 💔 Work-life imbalance: The challenge of balancing a demanding job with family responsibilities feels intensified during school breaks. Employers can play a significant role in alleviating this for working parents by fostering a supportive environment: ⭐ Offer flexible hours: Allow employees to adjust their schedules during half-term so they can spend more quality time with their children. ⭐ Encourage remote work: If possible, offer remote work options to reduce commute time and give parents a bit more flexibility. ⭐ Promote work-life balance: Remind employees that it's okay to focus on family and that balance is encouraged, not just tolerated. ⭐ Create a supportive culture: Openly acknowledge that half-term can be a tough balancing act, and encourage conversations around managing work and home life. ⭐ Check in regularly: Managers can make a big difference by simply checking in, offering empathy, and asking if there’s any support they can provide during this time. These actions can help reduce half-term guilt and show employees that their well-being and family priorities are valued 💜 It's ok to be open; it's ok to need support; it's ok to feel how you feel #workingmums #worklifebalance #halftermsupport

In today’s fast-paced world, work-life balance is crucial, especially for parents. It's concerning to see that a third of parents struggle to juggle work and family without flexible working options. Businesses that offer flexibility not only support their employees’ well-being but also boost productivity and retention. It's time for more organizations to embrace flexible working as the future of the workplace! What do you think? #FlexibleWorking #WorkLifeBalance #Parenting #FutureOfWork https://lnkd.in/e4HMF_RJ

School's Out, but Work Isn't! Flexible Work Options for Working Parents ☀️ Summer brings sunshine, vacations, and...a juggling act for working parents! With kids out of school, childcare arrangements can become a challenge. But fear not, small businesses! Here at I Heart HR, we believe happy employees lead to a thriving business, and that includes supporting parents during the summer months. Flexible Work Arrangements to the Rescue! Traditional work schedules may not always mesh with summer realities. Here are some flexible work options you can explore to accommodate working parents and keep your team productive: ✅ Flexible Start & End Times: Allow employees with children to adjust their start and end times to better align with childcare schedules. This could mean starting earlier and leaving earlier, or coming in later and staying later. ✅ Compressed Workweeks: Consider offering compressed workweeks, where employees work their full hours over a fewer number of days. This gives parents an extra day off during the week to manage childcare or enjoy summer activities with their families. ✅ Work-From-Home Opportunities: For certain roles, explore the possibility of allowing employees to work from home on designated days. This can be a game-changer for parents who need to be available for their children during the day. Benefits for Everyone: By offering flexible work arrangements, you're not just helping working parents; you're also creating a more positive and productive work environment for everyone. Here's how: 📈 Increased Employee Satisfaction: Flexible work arrangements show employees you value their work-life balance, leading to higher morale and loyalty. 📈 Reduced Absenteeism: When employees have childcare options, they're less likely to call in sick or require last-minute schedule changes. 📈 Improved Productivity: A happy and well-rested team is a productive team! Flexible work arrangements can lead to increased focus and efficiency. Ready to Explore Flexible Work Options? I Heart HR can help! 🩷 We offer a variety of services to small businesses, including developing flexible work policies and creating a culture that supports working parents. #SummerHR #SmallBusinessHR #WorkLifeBalance #FlexibleWork #WorkingParents #EmployeeEngagement #HRtips

Productivity isn't linear, and neither is life. Another headline about summer 'productivity slumps'? Candidly, this narrative is tired. We're human. We're parents juggling summer childcare, craving sunshine after a long winter, and professionals recharging to hit Q4 strong. Let's stop shaming the natural ebb and flow of energy and focus on building workplaces that respect the whole person. If summer throws your workplace into chaos, it's not the season's fault – it's your culture's. Here's how to fix it and build a workplace that thrives year-round: ✅ Empower with autonomy and clarify expectations Trust is the foundation of flexibility. Give your team the freedom to manage their work while ensuring everyone is aligned on goals. ✅ Shift away from the "always on" mentality Burnout is real and expensive. Encourage breaks and boundaries, modeling the behavior you want to see in your team. Remember, PTO is a benefit, not a trap – use it! ✅ Stop equating facetime with productivity Results matter, not how many hours someone spends at their desk. Focus on outcomes, not activity. ✅ Build a workplace where life happens That means accommodating summer vacations, winter colds, childcare needs, and everything in between. When employees feel supported, they're more engaged and productive. When we prioritize wellbeing, trust our employees, and focus on results, we create workplaces where people thrive — no matter the season.

Juggling work and family? You're not alone. ♀️ For many parents, especially moms, achieving work-life balance feels like an impossible dream. Between childcare, housework, and the daily commute, dedication is often mistaken for availability. Hybrid work models can change that. By offering flexible schedules and remote options, companies can empower parents to be productive at work while present at home. This fosters a happier, more well-rounded workforce, leading to increased innovation and loyalty. Let's break down the barriers and build a work environment that works for everyone. #hybridwork #worklifebalance #womeninworkforce