Happy Mother’s Day to everyone out there who loves like a mum! It can’t be a coincidence that Mother’s Day occurs on the cusp of Spring, as the earth thaws, the days lengthen and the promise of new life is all around us. To help celebrate this wonderful time of the year, we spoke to some of our colleagues who combine motherhood with a career at STR…
Naomi Gregory, Principal Talent Specialist
Being a mother is a privilege and an incredible job, one that I take very seriously. I count myself fortunate to work within a business that values its people as just that: people. A company that allows me to be both a career-minded professional and the best mummy I can be.
The flexibility and trust is truly appreciated: days to work from home so I can take my little boy both to and from school, flexibility to take a day off if needed when he is unwell, at very short notice. Working for a team where they know your son’s name, regularly asking after him and even allowing him to participate in team events, is HUGE for me and keeps me totally engaged with the business and focused on an exciting future.
Clair Thomson, Group Communications Manager
When I started at STR, I had a 10 month old baby; fast forward 10 and a half years and I suddenly have an 11 year old pre-teen! I cried the first morning I dropped my son off at nursery, I’d barely spent an hour without him the previous 10 months, and I was wracked with classic ‘mum guilt’. But a few hours into my first day at STR, the warm welcome from everyone and the immediate flexible and understanding approach from my manager helped me realise I was doing the right thing.
The company’s continued and constant support and flexibility over the years means I’ve been able to make some crucial rites of passage: my son’s nativities, sports days, award presentations and first concert performance to name a few. Not to mention last minute leave when he’s poorly or when I completely forgot about an inset day (only happened once!), all while supporting me in my career through gaining further professional qualifications and helping me achieve my goals.
I need to have a work-life to properly be ‘me’ and that helps make me a happy, well-rounded individual, which enables me to be the best possible mummy to the most wonderful kid I could ever have wished for.
Nadine Pullen, Compliance Administrator
As a mum, balancing work and family responsibilities can be challenging, but having STR Group’s understanding and support has made all the difference. I am a mum to 3 children, 2 of my children are under Great Ormond Street Hospital. STR’s willingness to offer flexible working hours has allowed me to attend to my family’s needs while fulfilling my job responsibilities. Their consideration for my personal situation and understanding that I may have to take leave for family matters is truly commendable. The ability to work from home and adjust my working hours when needed has greatly reduced my stress levels and allowed me to maintain a high level of productivity.
I cannot thank STR Group enough for the support they have given me as a working mum. I am proud to work for an employer who values and supports family responsibilities, and who recognises the importance of a work-life balance. STR’s support has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated.
Jo Smith, HR Director
The biggest positive for me about working for STR as a mum is the flexibility I get. All the directors have family and understand the challenges of juggling a career and being a parent. STR is really flexible if you have a school event that you want to attend or your child is poorly and you need some emergency time off or to work from home, etc. I’m also able to work hours that fit my childcare needs, which is a huge bonus!
Danielle Smith, Recruitment Consultant
STR has been an incredible support throughout my pregnancy. They have been completely flexible with my working pattern to make sure it works for me, including working from home when maybe coming in to the office has been a bit too much. They’ve given me a space to go to if I need to step away from my desk for a bit and have just generally been on hand whenever I have needed them.
Going off on maternity leave was a daunting idea but with the support I have received I feel a lot more comfortable and confident and look forward to returning to my desk when the time is right.
Charlotte Kingsbury, VP US Operations
As a mum-to-be with my baby due in April, I have felt fully supported by the STR Group during my pregnancy so far and for this I am very grateful, as pregnancy can be a real struggle sometimes! Due to the STR Group’s exceptional maternity package, I do not feel any stress heading off to enjoy my maternity leave and know I have all the support I will need when I start to return to the business next year.
So to all the mums, thank you for everything you do. And if you’d like to work for a company that values you for everything you are and appreciates all the hats you have to wear, give us a call!
