Employable

FYI: With Matariki coming up, here's a wee bit of info regarding what it's all about.

MATARIKI EXPLAINED Matariki is now recognised as an official national holiday in Aotea...

Parents: How do you negotiate a later start time?

If you’ve got school drop-offs, try not to lead with “I can’t start early.” It usually lands better if you come with a simple solution instead.

❌ Instead of:
“I need a later start because of school drop-off.”

✅ Try:
“I have school drop-off in the morning. Would there be any flexibility for me to start at 9:00am instead of 8:30am and finish a bit later? I’d still complete my full hours and make sure my work is covered.”

Why this helps:
✔ You’re still clear you’re working your full hours
✔ You’re suggesting a workable option, not just a problem
✔ You’re showing you’re thinking about the role as well

A lot of employers are more open to flexibility than people think—it’s often just about how the conversation is framed.