What we do
We help skilled, people return to work in flexible jobs that fit their lives
We help companies build flexibility into their teams, improving productivity and wellbeing
We use remote working to help companies and communities to cut carbon emissions from commuting
By the numbers
- 1.5m well-qualified part-time workers are in low-skilled, low paid jobs. (Source: Timewise and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation).
- 64% of Mums surveyed by Digital Mums reported taking work below their skill level because the role offered flexibility.
- After a career break 32% of women could not find a suitable job in their field, and 21% found a job in their field but at a lower level than they were before their career break (Source: Working Mums Annual Survey 2015).
- One million people aged over 50 are struggling to re-enter the workforce (Source: Business in the Community, The Missing Million.)
- 37% of working mothers believe home working is the most valuable form of flexible working – and 66% think working from home is the most likely factor to encourage them back to work full time (Source: Working Mums Annual Survey 2015)
- Commuting accounts for 25% of the distance we travel by car, contributing significantly to UK carbon emissions. Including cars, busses and rail, commuting accounts for 24% of CO2 emissions from passenger transport.
Our story
“Working in the charity and media sectors over 15 years, I often worked with colleagues in different locations and time zones. When I moved to a rural area with my young family, there weren’t any jobs nearby in my field, so I worked remotely as freelancer. I kept meeting others – often Mums with years of work experience – who were struggling to find jobs locally that made the most of their skills but also fitted with their commitments.
It seemed crazy that we were all looking within the same local, ‘commutable’ geographic area, when the technology now exists to work from pretty much anywhere. And it seemed frustrating that so many experienced people were struggling to find jobs with the flexibility they needed. I began researching remote jobs and different forms of flexible working, and realised there were lots of interesting, innovative companies, many of them in the tech and digital sectors, who were struggling to reach diverse candidates and to fill skills gaps. I had my ‘light bulb’ moment, and myworkhive was born.
Green issues are really important to me, so I was shocked to learn that commuting contributes so much to UK carbon emissions. It seems like such a huge, avoidable waste of resources. If we all worked from home (or even just closer to home) more often, we could really have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions, as well as improving traffic congestion and air quality.”
Lucy ElkinAdvisors:
Emma Piper is our fantastic marketing, PR and comms guru. Founder of Pied Piper Communications, Emma helps startups (including myworkhive) to develop and implement marketing and comms strategies.
Emma is also a major advocate for remote and flexible working, driven by her personal experience of running a successful business whilst also caring for her family and meeting the needs of her son, who has a serious health condition. As Emma says, “I’ve worked from home, on the move, and from hospital bedsides – have laptop, will work.” Emma knows first-hand that remote and flexible working can help skilled people like her to stay in the workforce.
If you are looking for a full range of PR, comms, marketing and social-media services, from a team passionate about all things startup, connect with Emma on Twitter @PiedPiperComms.
Emma Piper
Thanks so much to the following for their support:
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