This big transition in Martha’s career has made a huge difference, not just in her social and family life, but in her family’s finances. Since trading an exhausting 60 workweek for a more manageable 30 hours as a virtual assistant, she’s enriched her life in a million different ways. This transformation has deepened her connection with her kids, too. Martha began suffering from life-altering health symptoms such as insomnia, hair loss, palpitations and tinnitus. Eventually, her condition resulted in hospitalization for deep vein thrombosis, which catalyzed this major change.
The anxiety of her last job had taken a toll on Martha’s body and mental state. Her extreme work schedule took a significant toll on her health and well-being. In turn, she started to develop symptoms, which affected her everyday life. The real turning point was when she decided to leave mainstream education. She took advantage of a flexible work arrangement that allowed her to be more present for her children.
Martha’s decision has had a deep impact on her family’s overall condition. Her three children, Amelie, 14, Otis, and Barnaby were instantly thrust into the unexpected presence of their mother. Amelie said thanks, and that it was “really super” to have her mum back. She’s seen firsthand the dramatic change in Martha’s disposition after long hours on the job. Her mama would come back home “hangry and frazzled.”
And that’s made an enormous difference particularly for all three kids. Barnaby remarked on the simple joy of having his mother close by, saying, “The thing that makes it nice is that she’s there – even if she’s on a meeting, it’s nice to just have that moment of conversation.” The result of such interaction is a more pleasant atmosphere that allows us to nurture warm attachment bonds between family members.
Prof. Sam Wass, an expert in children’s brain development and behavior, stressed the impact parental engagement can have on children’s outcomes. He told us that only five to ten minutes of undivided attention makes a huge difference in children’s lives. He added, “This type of child-led learning, where you’re sitting and responding and sustaining and helping them to engage in what they’re interested in, is really, really important for child outcomes.”
Additionally, as Prof. Wass stressed, parental engagement not only benefits children but helps parents deal with their own stress. “The other thing is, it’s great for you as a parent too, just to force yourself to forget your day-to-day worries and to be there with your child really, really helps you to manage your stress and to manage your bad moods at the same time,” he explained.
Martha definitely seconded that emotion, saying she appreciated being able to interact with her kids on a deeper level. “I appreciate the fact that I’m living my life with them, and I’m not just bundled off into a school in a different borough where I can’t see them,” she said.
This change in work-life balance reflects what is being seen on a larger scale with the rise of flexible working. John Dickie, chief executive at BusinessLDN, emphasized the positive impact of flexible working on employee well-being. In-person collaboration, he added, is still key to improving productivity and fostering innovation. “Getting the balance right is crucial to success,” he stated.
Dickie admitted there is no one-size-fits-all approach to flexible working. Every person’s circumstance will need different things considered to arrive at the best possible balance that works for both workers and workplaces.
Mayoral of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has been keeping a keen eye on the evolution of the capital’s topography thanks to the rise of remote working. He found central London completely “emptied out,” as a sign of what may be a permanent change in the way industries, businesses, and workers prioritize their office spaces.
Clare McNeil expressed optimism about future changes in work arrangements. “We are hopeful that the government’s legislation that they’re introducing will be an opportunity for more work, more employers to think differently about how they design jobs,” she stated.
