Celebrating our #TeamGuidant mums for Mother’s Day 2021
By Guidant Global
With Mother’s Day coming up this Sunday in the UK, we speak to some of #TeamGuidant’s amazing mothers who share with us their stories on juggling work and home life.
When I had worked with a previous employer, I still remember feeling continuous guilt because my 4-year-old son was waiting with a childminder in a school uniform until I would return from work after 6pm.
I was stressed because I was always torn between my child waiting for me and staying longer in the office to complete my tasks. When my son was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, I thought it would force me to leave my work because I would have to focus on my son’s needs.
This changed when I started working for Impellam and later for Guidant. Being able to work flexible hours as well as from home has changed my life. I was able to be a mum and progress with my career. I am judged by my performance and am able to progress regardless of my ethnicity. I have been working for Guidant for over 8 years – I love my work and I am very proud to work for Guidant.
– Marta Zdanuk-Basalska, Management Information Manager
The past year has been challenging in so many ways, especially with home schooling and work. Guidant have been supportive throughout and have offered me a flexible working solution which has proven really successful. I feel I am confidently able to continue working from home whilst having time to look after James and help him with his schoolwork.
– Laura Hoey, Talent Team Manger
I have worked for Guidant for almost two and a half years and I really do feel like I am part of a family! Guidant has been supportive of my role as a mum by encouraging me to take the time to pick my daughter up from school once a week (before the pandemic started) as well as giving me the flexibility to manage my own work-life balance around my personal commitments to ensure that I complete everything to the best of my ability.
More recently, the discussion around the challenges of home-schooling has been openly spoken about on team calls to create the feeling that ‘we are all in this together’, which has been a great relief especially during stressful days. I love my role at Guidant, but the best job in the world is being a mum and step-mum!
– Caroline Edge, Client Services Director
Guidant have been very supportive when it comes to family life. if I needed time off for a school performance or hospital appointment for my daughter, it has always been supported. After I had my son, my return to work was made easier when I was able to work from home once a week for the days I didn’t have childcare.
Since working from home due to the pandemic, I’ve felt supported in my personal life. I’ve been able to change my hours so that I can support my daughter in her schoolwork and look after my growing toddler. Guidant are very supportive of working mothers and I’m so grateful to be working with them especially during these uncertain times.
– Zita Evans, Recruitment Coordinator
A few years back, I returned to Guidant Global from maternity leave after having my son, Jack, on a full-time basis. I was in the office three days a week and worked from home the other two. It worked well in the beginning, however, after a couple of months, it started becoming quite a juggle as he grew older.
I felt incredibly guilty during my work from home days, as I wasn’t able to give him the level of attention that he needed. After a conversation with my manager, I was able to reduce my working days to four which has since had a massive effect on the quality time that I am able to spend with Jack.
As he was also born prematurely, I needed to take time off to bring Jack for a number of check-ups, of which, Guidant have always been so supportive of. Never once have I felt awkward asking for a flexible working pattern, whether it be reducing my days or working slightly different hours to accommodate my child.
I’m proud to work for a company like Guidant that understands the importance of being a working woman and a mother.
– Laura-Jane Cartwright, Client Services Director
The pandemic has really shone a light on companies and how they have continued to support working parents and I feel Guidant have gone above and beyond. Parents have been given the freedom to remain output-focused, which has meant I can work my diary to suit the needs of my family. I can’t imagine working for a company that doesn’t let you do the best job that you can do as an employee, without it being to the detriment of your children.
There is a part of me that will miss my son’s happy little face appearing in the back of my Zoom calls now that he is back in the classroom!
– Alexis Dixon, Client Services Manager
I have worked for companies before who have said to offer flexible working. However, when the time came, they would make it very difficult for me to take time off or switch my working hours around to accommodate the demands of having a young family.
When I interviewed for my role with Guidant I asked about flexibility. I was open and honest about how important it is for me to build my career, but to also be present for nativity plays, school sports days and so on. Guidant have always honoured their commitment to me and nearly three years after joining, my work life balance has adapted to the needs of my growing family. Now, I can take my children to school every day and pick them up twice a week (which also cuts down on them being at after school clubs) and my children love having me come and collect them!
Now that I work from home five days a week, my work-life balance is the best it has ever been. The support given during the most recent lockdown was fantastic – balancing home-schooling and work on an extremely busy account was tough but I never felt that I was on my own.
– Emma Corr, Senior Recruitment Business Partner
We want to wish all our #TeamGuidant mums out there a very Happy Mother’s Day! We are inspired by your dedication to be both a fantastic mother and working woman.
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