Your 2009 Career Re-Launch

Christmas is a great time to prepare yourself for your re-entry into the workforce. Follow our practical advice:

1. Update your resume - include all non-paid work.
2. Know your flexibility requirements and don't back down.
3. Be clear on the type of role you are seeking, and know your strengths and skills.
4. Know what you are worth and don't sell yourself short.
5. Don't be grateful. You are smart, intelligent and experienced and you deserve a job.

To properly prepare yourself for 2009, read our CareerMums factsheets on the following topics found at this web address: http://www.careermums.com.au/resources_useful_services.php#articles

* A game plan to help you find a flexible job
* Keeping your skills up to date while on parental leave
* Managing your career as a working parent

New employment standards grant EXTENSION of Parental Leave and the right for employees to request flexible work

The imminent introduction of the new National Employment Standards signal significant changes concerning parental leave, carer’s leave and flexible work requests. Is your organisation aware of their new obligations? New changes include (and are not limited to):

•Extension of parental leave beyond 12 months;
•Right to request flexible, alternative work arrangements for those caring for a child under school age;
•Up to 10 days of paid personal/carer's leave per year, which accrues throughout the year and will accumulate with no limitation.

For more information, visit http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Publications/WorkplaceRelations/ or telephone the Workplace Rights Information Line on 1300 882 648.

Child care and paid parental leave - Still all talk and no action

Myself and other parents I know have been really disappointed with the media commentary relating to the demise of the ABC Learning Centres. What a wonderful opportunity for Government to take control of early learning for children - not to mention the pricing of child care. The cost of child care is consistently one of the top 3 barriers for parents returning to work.

There are also concerns that Government may not implement the paid parental leave initiative because of the economic downturn. Why?? The economic downturn will not outlast Australia's skills shortage. I am sure there are necessary cutbacks on defence spending that could be achieved to make up for any potential budget deficits.

These latest setbacks are not just about families - they are about equality for women. When are we going to stop talking about it and finally do something about it?

CAREERMUMS SURVEY RESULTS– Paid parental leave welcomed by parents but not at a cost to businesses

CareerMums recently conducted a ‘pulse’ survey on the issue of paid parental leave in response to the Productivity Commission’s release of their draft report. 90 per cent of respondents believe that paid parental leave is an important employment entitlement to encourage retention in the workplace, but not at the expense of businesses.

Kate Sykes, Director of www.careermums.com.au said “Our users are expressing concerns about the compliance and superannuation costs that businesses may face if the Federal Government accepts the Productivity Commission’s Paid Parental Leave Scheme in its current form. If businesses are forced to act at the paymasters of paid parental leave (reimbursed later) and pay superannuation, this may inadvertently cause discrimination against the hiring of women who are of child-bearing age.”

read our press release at the following URL: http://www.careermums.com.au/uploads/CareerMums%20PR%20Paid%20Parental%20Leave%20Nov%202008.pdf

Keeping your skills up to date while on parental leave

During parental leave, many parents often experience a lack of self confidence when it comes to their career and the prospect of returning to work. It is so common, and happens simply because you are removed from the workplace for a period of time.

Experience has shown that women who have returned to work are pleasantly surprised at how quickly they fit back in, and how much knowledge they have actually retained and gained.

In order to make the transition back to work as smooth as possible, it’s important to maintain your skills while you’re on leave. Be proactive. Seek out opportunities that enable you to retain and build on your current skills.

Visit the following URL to get some ideas on how to keep your skills current:
http://www.careermums.com.au/uploads/Keeping%20Your%20Skills%20Up%20To%20Date.pdf

How employers can embrace flexible work arrangements in an economic downturn

Now is a great time to embrace flexible work arrangements to counter fluctuating business needs and performance.
Examples of employment strategies include:
1. Hiring people on a part time basis instead of full time;
2. Enhancing flexible work policies to allow for staff to take more unpaid leave; and
3. Allowing staff to reduce their normal working hours during peak holiday periods (eg: lead up to xmas, school holidays etc)

Selling yourself in an ecomonic downturn

Recent chaos in the financial markets has seen business confidence around the globe plummet, including Australia. Furthermore, many news services are reporting that jobs growth is slowing - see the following article: http://business.smh.com.au/business/jobs-growth-slows-20081009-4x4p.html

If you are currently looking for a job, it may be worth re-thinking your approach. There may be an impact on jobs growth but there is still a skills shortage that will get progressively worse over the next decade. There is still work to be done, but right now, employers may actually prefer to take someone on part time while they ride out the economic downturn. This is where you can come into play by offering your skills and expertise on a part time basis until business picks up. You are offering your flexibility in return for their flexibility.