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QUESTIONS OF THE MONTH - MAY
Each month you can “ask an expert” who will share her experiences and opinions. Is there a question you want answered? We’re sure you may have a few that others can benefit from as well. So feel free to ask our experts by emailing us at experts@flexperienceforum.com.
To learn more about the experts, click on their names to see their bios
Negotiating Part-Time
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CATHERINE LEE Director, Sterling Stamos
Catherine left her job at Stadium Capital Management in 2001 after having triplets, off-ramped for three years and then returned to work part-time at Sterling Stamos (responsible for firm’s private equity investments) from 2004 until 2006. She is currently on sabbatical.
Professional experience also includes being a senior consultant at Bain and Company, was a founding member of the Operations Research Group at Delta Airlines, and a consultant at Booz Allen and Hamilton
Received her MBA from Harvard and MS from M.I.T. |
Q: When is the best time to negotiate for part-time or flex-time? Is it best to be upfront during the interview process, wait for a job offer or discuss after a few months on the job?
I think it is important to be upfront at some point during the interview process, however, it is first important to sell yourself and your skillset to the employer. Once the employer realizes he/she really needs you, it is then appropriate to bring up the issue of part-time or flexible hours. In my case, I waited until the second interview when I had already had a chance to sell myself and find out more about the company and the position’s requirements before bringing up the need for part-time work. At this point, the company realized they needed someone with my background and experience and were sold on me as a candidate. I was thus able to negotiate from a position of power.
Work-Life Balance
Q: Catherine Lee, how did you juggle being on several boards and being a full-time mom?
During my three year off-ramp, I joined two nonprofit boards. This enabled me to continue using my business skills, kept me sane during those early childhood years and gave me something to talk about when I did decide to return to the workforce and had to go through job interviews. Board work is ideal for a full-time Mom because meetings are usually monthly (with some committee work in-between) and all other work can be done at home during the hours that kids are napping, sleeping at night, etc. Most importantly, nonprofits really need your help. Many cannot afford to hire professionals and rely on people like us to stay afloat. In return, you get a deep feeling of satisfaction in helping them with their problems.
Q: How do you manage your time when working from home?
My office is on the other end of the house from the playroom, and I keep the door closed when I am working at home. The kids and nanny (mostly) know when to leave Mom alone. I have had a few instances where I have had to hide out and do a conference call in a dark closet in a hushed voice so that the kids won’t find me and interrupt the call. Needless to say, working from home can be a challenge, but the rewards of spending time with your kids make it worthwhile.
Q: How do you manage a flexible schedule (need to drop-off/pick-up kids, stay at home when they are sick) when other co-workers are putting in very long hours?
I think you need to remind yourself that you are also making sacrifices (i.e., reduced pay, longer time to promotion) through your flexible schedule. Therefore, there should be no guilt when you take advantage of the benefits associated with your work situation.
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