For Working Moms Like Me, Supportive Company Policies Dont Matter If This 1 Thing Is Missing

For Working Moms Like Me, Supportive Company Policies Dont Matter If This 1 Thing Is Missing Helen Daly didnt do anything specific to prepare for maternity leave. Despite the amount of guidance (or, as she semi-jokingly put it, opinions dressed up as advice) that first-time moms are showered with, Daly had access to something that no number of What to Expect books can offer a workplace that truly gets and supports parents.In many ways, an understanding company meant I didnt feel any need for special programs I already had all the help and support I needed, Daly, a Development Manager at Informatica, said. Bosses and colleagues have always been understanding about the need to fit in family life as well as work. I took six months off for maternity leave, and honestly, returning to work welches amazing.The company can only do so much you need the understanding and respect of your colleagues when trying to manage the day-to-day demands of family life. And that comes from having coworker s whove been there and get it, she said. We have an environment where people know its OK to rearrange a meeting to fit in the kids Christmas Concert or to start your work day after the school run at 930 a.m. Its having people at every stage of life that results in that attitude, and thats what has made Informatica a great place to be a parent.Recently, Daly shared with Fairygodboss how shes developed as a professional and as a mom at Informatica, as well as her No. 1 tip for working parents who are trying to build better work-life boundaries.How long have you been in your current role, and what were you doing previously?Ive been a Development Manager at Informatica for six months, and prior to that, I was a software engineer here.How did you prepare for maternity leave and what advice can you offer to other moms who are expecting their first child?I didnt do anything specific to prepare for maternity leave was I meant to? It kind of just came and went Advice Ignore all the advice y oure given, as the vast majority of it is nonsense. Pregnant women are constantly showered with opinions dressed up as advice, and you have to learn to tune it out. If that ever gets too hard, just tell people to back off.How long were you on maternity leave and what was it like to return to work?I took six months off for maternity leave, and honestly, returning to work was amazing. Not that I dont love my children, but I missed adult conversation, problem solving, pub lunches, etc. It was great suddenly having a purpose beyond being a giant walking pacifier.What type of programs did/does your company offer to new and expectant mothers?The arbeitszimmer manager was very proactive about reaching out regarding things like work-station assessments and whether or not I needed a place to pump milk after returning. Bosses and colleagues have always been understanding about the need to fit in family life as well as work.In many ways, an understanding company meant I didnt feel any need for special programs I already had all the help and support I needed. And in the six years since I last did it, theyve become even more proactive in terms of support both whilst expecting and in returning to work.How has your morning routine changed since becoming a mom?Lets compare Old routine Get up, cycle to work, shower, eat breakfast, job done.Current routine Get up, make packed lunches, pull childrens clothes on whilst theyre still asleep because they just wont wake up, make breakfast, manage complaints about breakfast, manage complaints about packed lunches, make a second breakfast, tell children to smother daddy so we cant hear his snoring anymore (why is he still in bed?), get football kit ready, hunt out guitar, lose cycling things, pack car, check that there are two children in the car, platzdeckchen off for school, realise weve forgotten the homework bags, go back home, grab bags, get back into car, stop car in middle of road and tell children that were not moving until the y stop fighting, eventually realise thats not going to stop them and just turn radio volume up to drown them out, get to school, leave oldest child at school door, carry youngest over shoulder screaming and kicking to classroom door, smile politely at other parents as if this is all completely normal and return to car, take a deep breath, and remember its all great practice for management the children in the office have nothing on the ones at homeWhy do you think your company is a particularly great place to be a working mom?The kids are covered on our healthcare and were entitled to parental leave. But to be honest, I think one of the fruchtwein important things is a diverse work environment. The company can only do so much you need the understanding and respect of your colleagues when trying to manage the day-to-day demands of family life. And that comes from having coworkers whove been there and get it. You have the newlywed thinking about what car to buy. The mum-to-be showing off her bump. The dads working from home because the babys sick. Parents all excited about their childs first day at school or college Water-cooler conversations about menopause.We have an environment where people know its OK to rearrange a meeting to fit in the kids Christmas Concert or to start your work day after the school run at 930 a.m. Its having people at every stage of life that results in that attitude, and thats what has made Informatica a great place to be a parent.Whats your go-to stress-relief activity or routine?Soccer. Well have office soccer on a Friday during lunchtime, which is a great stress reliever. After that, cycling or running.What kinds of boundaries to you follow (if any) to separate work and family time?I often have to leave the office early to pick up the kids, so I log-in from home to make up the time. If I do that, Ill set myself a specific task I want to accomplish from home before leaving the office. That way, I dont just spend hours on the laptop i n the evening, and I have a sense of achievement from the extra time put-in.Whats your No. 1 tip for new moms who are navigating the delicate balance of working and mothering?Two tips Stick up for yourself, and dont assume that its just the women around you who will be understanding and helpful. The dads out there get it, too--Fairygodboss is proud to partner with Informatica.