Jodi works as a part time attorney in child abuse and family violence.  She started 10 years ago full time and has also worked from home as a contractor.  Now she works in house, part-time, 20 hours a week.  She also blogs about anything and everything at jodifur. 

A lot of our featured flex workers here at the work. smart. blog work remotely or telecommute the majority of the time.  This week, we are featuring Jodi, a working mom who works part-time on a flexible schedule.  If you would like to be a featured flex worker, we make it really easy, just answer our interview questions here.

Tell us more about your flexible work arrangement, what does a typical workweek look like?

I work 20 hours a week, and split them over three days, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  My boss is fairly flexible but because I am an attorney and need to be in court, it is hard for me to work from home.

Was your job flexible to begin with, or was it something you negotiated with your employer?

When I started I was a typical 40 hour a week employee.  And then I left when I had my son and worked as a contractor.  When the one part-time attorney in my office left, my boss asked me to come back in the part-time role.

What have been the most notable benefits of your flexible work arrangement?

My boss does not care how I do my 20 hours, as long as I do them.  So if I need to switch my days because my son is sick or to go on a field trip that is fine.

What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced working flexibly?

Even though I work 20 hours, sometimes emergencies come up on the days I am not there.  And the judges don’t like to hear me say: “I don’t work on Fridays.”

What advice would you offer those who would like to negotiate a flexible work arrangement with their employer?

Employers don’t want to lose your institutional knowledge.  They will want to keep you.  It never hurts to ask.

Tell us about your “office” space….

It’s in a traditional office building, my flexible work arrangement is about when I do my work, not where I do it.

If you could describe your “workstyle” in one-two words, what would it be?

Productive - in limited time.

While Jodi’s career as an attorney thrives, she doesn’t have to give up seeing her son do the same.