This is a guest post written by Lydia Weiss from the MSU WorkLife Office.

The summer months on campus often mean fewer parking headaches, shorter lines at our favorite restaurants, and better weather for enjoying nature. At the same time, the summer also brings with it juggling coworkers’ vacation schedules and shifts in the focus of our work. Whether you’re in grounds maintenance and have to shift to new equipment and maintenance schedules, or are in an academic unit and preparing for summer programs and already busying yourself with fall planning, the summer might be a good time to try a flexible work arrangement.

Many unit leaders are already accustomed to shifting schedules around to maintain coverage while also honoring vacation requests. That means that flexibility is already at the front of the minds of managers and also our coworkers. The summer might be a great time for you and your unit to pilot a flexible work arrangement. That could mean anything from working four 10-hour days to teleworking one day per week, and lots of other options in between. For more information about flexible work arrangements, visit the WorkLife Office website. You could also set up a consultation with someone from the WorkLife Office to consider all of your options.

Need a caregiver, dog walker or odd-job professional over the summer?

Sometimes that summer breeze can also blow in additional challenges for caregiving responsibilities. When kids get out of school for their summer break, finding care for them can prove difficult if you don’t already have something lined up.

Additional projects, such as yard work, can also be time-consuming during the warmer months in Michigan. And vacations, four-day weekends, and days at the beach might cause an additional need for a house sitter or dog walker.

All of these changes and seasonal needs may be resolved by posting a job on Care.com. By signing up with your MSU Net ID, you will receive free access to hundreds of caregivers, dog walkers, and odd-jobs professionals who can help ease these shifts in your summer schedule. Then you can negotiate directly with the provider of your choice on wages, hours, and tasks. Learn more about Care.com here.

If you have any questions about managing your summer work-life needs, please don’t hesitate to contact the WorkLife Office at (517) 353-1635 or worklife@msu.edu. Have a happy and safe summer!