Progress in Workplace Support for Women

In celebration of International Women’s Day, this article explores the significant role of flexible working in empowering women to balance their careers and family lives. Featuring the perspectives of Leanne, Lindsay and Jillian, four women in the digital PR field, the article highlights how workplace policies, including flexibility and support, have evolved over time. They reflect on how these changes have helped them overcome challenges, especially as working mothers, and the impact of supportive policies on their professional growth.

In this article, we have contributions from:

• Leanne: Digital PR Researcher
• Lindsay: Digital PR Executive
• Janine: Digital PR Executive

The Role of Flexible Working in Career Growth

Leanne: Absolutely! Flexible working has been essential to me to balance my career and family life. Coming from a profession offering no flexibility, the difference has been life-changing! The biggest benefit by far is no longer missing out on irreplaceable moments in my children’s lives.

Janine: A major challenge was the lack of flexibility when I started a family. Remote work wasn’t common, making work-life balance tough. Though things have improved with more flexibility, I left the IT industry because it still didn’t offer enough to be sustainable for me.

Lindsay: Flexible working has been key in shaping my career as my home commitments evolved. The shift was daunting—full-time hours felt rigid, especially as I entered the “sandwich generation,” balancing responsibilities for both children and aging parents. But flexibility has been a game-changer, reducing stress and allowing me to be present for loved ones while staying committed to my career. It’s also helped me work smarter, staying focused and efficient in everything I do.

Advice for Working Mothers Balancing Career and Family

Leanne: Choose a company that values flexibility and trusts its employees. Plan ahead—secure reliable childcare and keep family schedules clear. Communicate openly with your employer about adjustments and how you’ll make up time.

Lindsay: Don’t put pressure on yourself to be everything to everyone – you will wear yourself too thin across all your responsibilities. Be realistic and ready to share your aims, but also the limitations at any point in your working life, and have conversations with family members and your employer to see how you can keep a balance and enjoy working.

Staying Productive and Creative

Leanne: Stay organised! Structure your time so you can fully focus on work when working and be present with family when off the clock.

Lindsay: When I first returned to work I created my own “To do / Ta da list” – so I knew what needed doing and could pat myself on the back when I had ticked things off too. It worked at home and at work and reminded me what I do is important and productive!

Keeping realistic and always being able to laugh is important – and don’t forget how to say ‘No’ or ‘Help’ when necessary. My life has never run like clockwork, and parenting offers continual learning curves. Add a job into that equation and your responsibilities increase but your capacity doesn’t always – we’re only human!

Supportive Workplace Policies: Key to Success

Leanne: Flexible working made my return from maternity leave much smoother. Reducing my hours slightly gave me time to adjust before transitioning back to full-time.

Lindsay: Having the freedom to manage when and where I work has eased the pressure of “doing the right thing” or worrying about what work will think. Being trusted to get the job done well and on time is empowering and knowing I can reach out if workloads become overwhelming is reassuring.

I love our Kudos facility—it’s a great way to recognise and appreciate colleagues, bringing back my “Ta Da” moment!

Social events outside work help build strong relationships and a better understanding of each other.

Our health provision is invaluable. With working mums often putting themselves last, having this support when needed is a huge relief.

Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Leanne: It’s challenging, but my manager reminds me to switch off on my days off. I close my laptop but should mute work apps on my phone to fully disconnect.

Lindsay: I have always had a strong work ethic – which can be the worst enemy when maintaining a work-life balance! I do keep a rule of keeping weekends for family and friends time – I will always opt to work longer weekdays, where necessary. I am fortunate to have my own space to tuck away in when working from home, so I can focus and then shut the door on when my workday is done.

Artemis stood out as one of the few opportunities that offered both flexibility and career development. I have just celebrated my 7-year anniversary, having progressed from SEO Administrator to Digital PR Manager.

Role Models and Career Inspirations

Janine: I’ve been lucky to work with some amazing and supportive people who have encouraged and inspired me throughout my career. On a personal level, I have friends who run their own businesses and hold management roles because their hard work has been recognised, which is great to see.

Leanne: My grandmother is a major inspiration. In an era when women were often confined to the home, she worked to supplement her husband’s income. She found a secretarial job at Maxim Lamps in Hurstpierpoint, which allowed her to balance work and family. In her late 40s, she retrained as a nurse and pursued that career with passion until her 70s. She inspires me because, at a time when it wasn’t the norm, she worked to support her family and found flexible work. She also proved it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

My mum is my biggest role model. Her resilience and strength inspire me the most. She faces every challenge head-on and always bounces back, and I strive to embody those qualities in my own life.

Lindsay: I haven’t followed a single role model but have charted my own course. I was taught to work hard, achieve, and take chances. While not always easy, my self-confidence has grown through my career and life experiences. Instead of relying on one person for inspiration, I’ve drawn from various individuals and formed my own beliefs. I strive to be adaptable, resilient, and never confined to someone else’s blueprint. Personal growth requires nurturing, and as Dory from Finding Nemo says, “Just keep swimming” — the ocean is big enough for all of us!

International Women’s Day: Reflection & Looking Ahead

Janine: It highlights progress and reminds us there’s more work to do.

Leanne: As a mother of two daughters, IWD celebrates women’s achievements and serves as a reminder to support a future where women thrive. Policies like affordable childcare and stronger employment laws are key for women’s well-being and success.

Lindsay: Throughout my career, I’ve seen better representation and integration of women in the workplace. Opportunities for working mothers are more recognised, and companies are valuing part-time and flexible roles. Becoming a mother enhances adaptability and multitasking—skills businesses can’t afford to overlook.

IWD celebrates what women can achieve and the value we offer. While inequalities remain, we now can challenge old misconceptions and simply be given the chance to try!