We're two sisters launching a website for Reading and the Thames Valley that advertises part-time and flexible jobs, with a focus on well-being at work. We are very passionate about flexible working! We believe that flexible working can benefit everyone. Advertising your role with an element of flexibility will attract a wider pool of candidates, and im
prove your likelihood of hiring the right person first time. We are here to listen, challenge your requirements and help find the right level of flexibility for your business. Here's our story:
Emily:
I loved my job. But starting a family forced some tough choices – I moved out of London and back to my home town, Reading. Three hours of daily commuting and six grand for the privilege didn’t appeal, so I left my HR role in a London-based national charity. After maternity leave, I wanted the balance of part-time work. With so many multinational businesses operating in the Thames Valley, and a background in recruitment and HR, how hard could that be? Very, it turned out. So hard in fact that it quickly became clear that there was a huge void in the jobs market. My sister Jess was experiencing the same difficulties – and with 2017 set to be the tipping point for flexible working – we decided it was time to do something about it. Jess:
At the same time, I was busy running a Social Enterprise, training and up-skilling unemployed young people in Buckinghamshire. Too busy, as it turned out – my body finally said “enough”. I lost all feeling down my left side, and temporarily lost the ability to walk and talk. After a period of recuperation I’m now improving – but it was a wake-up call that placed wellbeing firmly centre stage. Looking for flexible work proved fruitless, and I soon came to the same realisation. More and more people I spoke to felt the same way and wanted to work more flexibly and close to home. And so Gymnast Jobs was born! We work part-time, together as a job-share, exploiting our unique and individual strengths.
