Not long ago, I took a position with another company for a day job, and
honestly, I couldn’t be more pleased with my choice. I’m close to home and
getting to my daughter or her school is quite easy, but these weren’t the
primary reasons that I took the job. That got me thinking today.
If you’re a divorced parent looking for a new job for the holidays, or even
just after the holidays, there are a few things that you should keep in mind for
your hunt, besides just money.
1. Health Insurance
My new employer gives me the opportunity to cover my daughter as well as
myself at no cost to me. This might be a benefit that you might be looking for
as well - especially if you have an ex where the health insurance situation
might be suspect. All kids need health insurance.
2. Life Insurance
Does your employer, or perspective employer, offer life insurance? In today’s
times, you definitely, DEFINITELY need some life insurance, especially if you
care about what might happen to your children were something critical to happen
to you.
3. Family Friendly Policies
These have REALLY come in handy for me. My employer doesn’t mind me working
from home, or taking time off for school functions. This can be a real boon for
a divorced parent, as things tend to come up that you don’t know about
necessarily until the last minute. Health situations, holiday parties, last
minute pick ups, and other situtations can and will occur. How does your new
employer (or old) look at these situations?
4. Other Benefits
Some employers offer benefits such as health savings plans, flexible
transportation plans, and 529 plans directly deposited from your paycheck. Any
or all of these can be a big help to a divorced or even NOT divorced parent.
Does your prospective employer offer any of these or other less popular but just
as valuable benefits?
Take a look at the full benefits offered by your prospective employer, and
consider those before you make a leap into the unknown.