Give extensive flexibility and you gain great efficiency and loyalty.

A friend of mine told me over coffee that she had been for an exciting job interview. Everything had been going really well. The job was interesting but salary was not great - however she reasoned that she was fortunate enough to needing a high income as her husband had an excellent job.
Then the interviewer told her his expectations of coming at 8am and being in the office the expected 8 hours with 1/2 hour deducted for lunch.
My friend explained that she had to drop children at school 8.20 and could not come before 8.30-8.45 and had to leave between 4-5pm most days. 
As she was telling me the story I could tell that she had gotten so disappointed when the interviewer just flat turned her down due to these limitations.
I was thinking... what kind of person is interviewing my friend, who is a very educated and intelligent, and does not see that she has high morale and passion for what she does? How could anyone miss that she would be an asset to any organisation she would join.

I have several friends that are stay at home moms, because they find it impossible to find a job that allows flexibility around children drop off and pick up. Consequently there is a hidden workforce that has capacity, intellect and passion that is not being utilized, especially in expat societies.

Hiring mothers is always a good choice - by giving them flexibility and understand for drop off/pick up and sick children you gain a productive and efficient worker beyond any expectations.
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My next step would be to have two mothers on maternity leave work sharing as General Manager - would that not be awesome?
Do you know anyone who already does this? I would love to hear about it. 


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