Are work/life balance and flexibility important?

[annalatte]

When looking for a new job, are these factors important to you?

Right now, I work in a city setting, have to pay to park, and have a 10-minute walk to/from the car. I will be adding 20 minutes to my commute each way when I move in the spring. Spending 2 hours a day commuting is not enjoyable when I have a 2-year old in daycare all day.

So, for these reasons, I am looking for a job in the suburbs that is closer to home. There are a lot of businesses headquartered near my new home, so I am having some phone interviews lately.

Problem is, the perks of my current job are pretty good. I have flex time (I can come in a little late if needed as long as I work 8 hours), and occasionally am able to work from home if my son is sick, etc. My boss is also pretty cool about me taking a couple hours off work every now and then to attend my son's daycare parties, doctors appointments, etc (like once every few months).

The most recent phone interview I had for a job (smallish company) near my new home, the HR lady (who did the screening) asked me 50 scripted questions, most of which focused on my ability to work 50+ hours a week, not missing work often, or taking PTO, often etc. She asked me if I had planned to go on "leave" for any reason in the next 6 months. It was pretty off-putting to me that they focused more on this than my skill set or experience. Especially when all my employers have been big, well-respected companies. I've never experienced an interview like this before.

It made me realize that having some flexibility and a good work/life balance is important to me when choosing an employer. How do I voice this in the interview process without sounding like a slacker?? LOL.

[drloretta]

It sounds like you may not have to, if these are the questions people are asking in phone interviews.

[RoxMonster]

It's not terribly important to me, but I'm in a different situation than you. I also commute to work (one hour each way), and I don't love it, but I don't have children and I still get home by 4:30 every day. I'm a teacher, so we do get time off obviously (during the summer and Christmas, etc), but beyond that, they really don't want us missing more than a day or two per year, which is understandable. It's still hard for people with kids--they miss often when kids are sick. I will sometimes have to take an afternoon off to make a dr. appt. in the city I live in. We get three "personal days" but they are really strict on the reasons you can use them for.

So overall, it isn't a huge deal to me, but if I had children, I would probably want more flexibility to take off when they were sick, had a play at school or something, etc. Maybe in an interview you could mention that if you did ever have to miss for a sick child, etc., you'd be willing to come in early or stay late or take home work to not get behind (if you'd be willing to do that).

[ECB]

Very important to me. I have a young child and a DH who works a weird schedule. I have to have flexibility, and it's keeping me, for now, in a job I'm not thrilled about.

[macmars45]

They're very important to me. I am currently childless. However, I only work M-TH. I work for a school district so I also get summers off and good breaks for holidays. It's very important for when H and I do have kids. I want to work part time and be home with my future kids part time.

[livinitup]

I'd still take the 2nd interview, if offered. And I wouldn't feel badly about asking if the company had a problem with you taking your PTO, and what their policy was for asking/getting the time approved.

Because it's one thing to say they don't want new employees taking a lot of random time off, and another to say that the culture is structured that you can't even take the time-off you earn. Can you take a PTO when you (or your son) wakes up with a fever? Do you get flex hours for personal needs/appointments?

Those are not slacker questions. They are basic, employment questions.