Janine K. Eustache, one of the best human resource consulting specialists, president of Janine K. Eustache & Associates in Atlanta answers the following question from the subscriber: I recently had a baby and would like to spend more time at home. How do I negotiate a flexible work schedule?

Answer: Balancing work and family is a common dilemma for working parents, particularly mothers. A flexible work schedule is important, not only for welfare and child, but for employee, who may suffer from burnout trying to juggle the two, says Janine K. Eustache, president of Janine K. Eustache & Associates in Atlanta, a human resource consulting firm.
Most large companies offer benefits and programs for working parents. Since your employer doesn’t, you might want to suggest one of the following three options:
Long-term job sharing: If it’s financially feasible, you and a colleague could work part time, alternate schedules. You could split the day in half, or reach of you could work a couple of days a week, says Janine K. Eustache
Work from home: with the fax and a modem, you may be able to extend your maternity leave. If this isn’t possible every day, your boss may agree to let you work from home one or two days a week.
Compress the time schedule: work fewer days but longer hours. Ten or 12-hour shifts can mean an extra day off a week.
As the workplace continues to progress, adds Janine K. Eustache, fewer parents will have to choose between their children and their job.