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Back to SearchAs a father who works flexibly, Christopher Bennett, Technical Director – Engineering Geology, might not seem to fit the ‘norm’, but in recent years we’ve seen a rise in the number of fathers and non-birth partners working flexibly to help care for their children. Read on to learn how Christopher balances his job while raising two children with his wife – an Emergency Doctor.
To me, working flexibly means…
I work 20 hours per week from Monday to Wednesday with extremely variable start and finish times depending on my wife’s work roster. Typically, I work five hours on a Monday, eight hours on a Tuesday and seven hours on a Wednesday.
Working flexibly isn’t new to me
In 2015, I first utilised GHD’s 50/52 program to access two extra weeks of leave so that I could work a half day on Thursdays and share therapy for my son with my wife. The following year I increased to the 48/52 program so that I could assist my family further.
Both of our sons have disabilities that require extensive therapy. To allow us to provide for this, towards the end of 2017 I became part-time so that my wife could sustain her role as a shift worker in the hospital.
The real value in flexible working
Flexibility significantly benefits my family. My wife’s shifts often begin before the kindy/school day and finish beyond family dinner time, so the ability for me to adjust my work day is very helpful to our family. If needed, I have the flexibility to pick-up the boys from kindy/school if my wife is on shift. My three-day week means that I can facilitate the therapy sessions that our children need.
A supportive environment
The team leaders and managers I have had during this four-year career transition have been responsive and supportive of our family’s needs. This has reduced the stress within the family as both of us working full-time was not possible. My colleagues have also been understanding and supportive, their accepting behaviours have been key to my dramatic career change working so well. Additionally, the long-term clients I work with have been amazing by accommodating and accepting my work hours for projects, including scheduling key project meetings and discussions around my availability.
About Christopher Bennett
Christopher is a qualified Engineering Geologist with more than 16 years’ experience working with geotechnical consultancies in New Zealand and Australia. He has extensive experience in planning and undertaking geotechnical investigations, the development of engineering geological models, design of dams, tunnels, rock excavations and slope stabilisation. In 2016 Christopher was awarded the GHD Technical Excellence Award in geology for his work on the Boondooma Dam Spillway project. Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn here.
GHD’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is embodied within our strategy and includes: championing gender equality, cultural diversity, LGBTI inclusion, adapting work practices to capture the benefits of generational diversity, reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as well as flexible working arrangements for our people.
Technical Director – Engineering Geology