Associate Director, Lauren, has returned to QCS Staffing after bringing her beautiful little girl, Eden, into the world. Now she’s back after nearly a year on maternity leave and currently attending reintroduction sessions with the team to get her up to speed on any changes since last year. We had a chat to see how she’s getting on with returning to work whilst juggling life as a mum.
Let’s introduce you, tell us about yourself:
I’m Lauren, I have worked at QCS Staffing for 12 years now and have just returned from Mat leave. I have an amazing little girl called Eden who is nearly one and she takes up the majority of my time, which is great! I get to be a kid again and enjoy trips to the farm. I love spending time with my family and socialising with friends. I have to say, I am partial to a bottomless brunch and a fancy cocktail or two! When relaxing at home I also love a bit of reality TV!
Tell us about your career at QCS Staffing so far:
I started my career 12 years ago in the admin department , and just after a year later I progressed into a Delivery Executive role. Two years later I was promoted to Delivery Team leader and then to Delivery Manager. Three years ago I was lucky enough to complete our pathway to Directorship programme and I am now the Associate director for Delivery. This means I am responsible for the whole of the Delivery Team across our three industries, their performance, team progression and personal development. I also work alongside the leadership team focusing on business Strategies, growth and investing in QCS Staffing’s future.
How have QCS Staffing supported you before and throughout your maternity leave?
They’ve been really great throughout. From the moment I told Dave (Director) I was expecting he put mine and the baby’s needs first. During the Covid-19 pandemic things got a bit stressful, as they did for a lot of people, but Dave ensured that I was relieved of any stressful elements of my role. I didn’t feel any pressure surrounding work, if I had to attend a last-minute hospital appointment, QCS Staffing were really supportive and understanding. They also just made me feel really special, I was spoilt with gifts and a virtual (covid friendly) maternity lunch.
The support continued whilst I was on maternity leave too, I was kept in the loop with changes and updates, but I didn’t feel hounded or under pressure. I could have regular catch-ups if I wanted them and they would accommodate that.
How has returning and reintroduction been?
All discussions about returning to work were led by me and supported by the business, which was great, and all the HR processes around my mat leave and returning were dealt with really smoothly too.
The reintroduction is organised by the L&D team and is a great way to ease you back into the business, there’s lots of news faces and changes such as new clients, internal moves and new processes to get your head around, and the reintroduction has helped me understand the changes and it’s a great transition whilst getting back into my day job.
You’ve been back for a few weeks, how are you finding juggling work/life balance?
To be completely honest with you it is a juggling act and I have certainly never been more productive before 7am in my life! But QCS Staffing are extremely good at making sure I have the work/life balance and they make sure I finish on time and provide flexibility - especially in the first few weeks as I’ve been finding my feet as mummy and manager. I’ve been back at QCS Staffing for 4 weeks now and it’s like I have never been away!
What do you love about QCS Staffing?
Where do I start? The environment, the people and the career progression. QCS Staffing offer the whole package. They really invest in you as a person and support employees’ self-development and career aspirations. We have a supportive leadership team and fantastic staff who really make coming into work great fun and enjoyable!
If you would like to work for a business that invests you, is proud to be different and is growing globally check out our current vacancies. We are looking for Recruiters and Delivery Executives to join our team.
