It was week three into my new job and my 8 month old son, Greyson, fell ill. That is the point that I knew I was in the right place.
It’s very easy for employers to say they support home working, that flexibility is real and that it is a completely autonomous business. They’ve seen the stats and understand the job market; they say the right things and very often mean them. But the reality can be very different.
Sending the WhatsApp message that Tuesday morning to say I might not be around and was going to work from home was scary. A new job and my child is already making me miss a day. What will they think of me?
But it was met by, and I paraphrase, “Thanks for letting me know, but you don’t have to tell me these things. Hope he gets better soon. Now go and be with your son.” That’s because the promises made to me when I joined Pivot Search were real, and Karandeep Sohel has been true to his word.
That week I got to be a working mum. I didn’t have to decide whether I was a worker or a mother. I could do both. My son got his mummy there when he needed me for cuddles and calpol, clients could still reach me, and I was able to support candidates.
I’m proud to be a successful woman. It’s so nice to be somewhere that treats me as an adult. And to be honest I wish I’d have been able to experience this when I was younger too.
That’s because everyone who works for Pivot is given total freedom and autonomy. They decide where and when they work. If it is important to you, then it is important to them. Fancy going shopping or playing golf for the day – no problem. Want a long lunch or a trip to the supermarket – sure thing. The only non-negotiable is “are you living the Pivot values.” Which boil down to are you a decent human being who can be trusted to do what they said they are going to do.
Like so many things, it has to start from the top. You’ve got to see those leading the organisation also embracing the flexible working and living the values. That happens here at Pivot, and it is why everyone I’ve spoken to seem genuinely happy and high achievers.
I’m so pleased that I joined. From Karandeep all the way through the organisation. I would recommend anybody who has a passion for recruitment, but wants to do it in a way that supplements not substitutes their personal life, to get in touch. We are hiring now.