Meet Your Work Options Adviser, Pat Katepoo

Hi, my name is Pat Katepoo, founder of WorkOptions.com. I’ve been a flexible work options adviser and work-life negotiation consultant since the early 1990s.

Fast forward to now, and I still love helping professionals get flexibility at their job so they can have more time for their life outside of work.

“Why Can’t All My Friends Do This?”

That’s the question that launched my flexible work options advisory service in 1993.

I was enjoying a weekday at home because of my flexible schedule as a part-time marketing director for a business law firm. I was in my mid-30s and using a flexible work arrangement as a way to manage both family and career without going nuts. (It worked.)

Inspired to show overwhelmed working mothers how they could have a flexible work life, I started Work Options Resources, a consulting service.

Soon after, I wrote the first edition of the Flexible Work Proposal Packages to equip people to ask their manager for the arrangement they needed. (That worked, too.)

Since WorkOptions.com went online in 1997, I’ve had the thrill of helping thousands of working mothers (and others) get flexible work approved.

My advice has been featured in American Baby, Fit Pregnancy, Working Mother, Woman’s Day, Parents, Forbes, Smart Money, Essence, US News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, and on NBC Nightly News.

New Moms Hit the Spot

Of all those I guide toward work-life balance, new moms hold a special spot. I know they’re overjoyed yet overwhelmed by their tiring new role, and they seem to appreciate my resources and advice the most.

In 2003, I wrote Max Maternity Leave (the PDF guide) to show women how they could get more time off with their babies. Those who use it often become enthusiastic customers of my flexible work proposal templates, too.

Max Maternity Leave and maternity leave articles were getting lots of traffic at WorkOptions.com to the point where I moved them here to their own website in 2010.

A Few Personal Notes

By the way, I’m probably old enough to be your mother. But a mentor with three decades in the world of work is to your benefit, right?

My husband is originally from Thailand (were you wondering about my unusual last name?). He is a carpenter, now retired, but busy helping a lot of people. 

We now have an “empty nest,” but occasionally take in foreign exchange students for short-term stays. Of course, we’re happy to have relatives and houseguests make their way through occasionally, too.

I appreciate your interest in Maternity Leave Mentor and hope to be talking with you soon.

All the best,

Pat Katepoo
WorkOptions.com
Maternity Leave Mentor

PS: Remember to like Work Options Adviser on Facebook to get resources and advice for working mothers and others.