This Mother’s Day, we asked Mums at Adecco and Pontoon to share their stories about how they juggled work and family and how Adecco could support them to be more successful as a working mother.

We thank Poonam Karkhanis, Sharon Joseph, Madelyn Morales, Ani Maksoudian, Martina Arnold and Sangeetha Sathyanarayana for sharing your stories and experiences that inspire us!

Here’s what they have to say!

Poonam Karkhanis, Practice Head PP – Healthcare and Chemicals, Adecco Middle East

How do you manage work, family and social life? What are the challenges that you have experienced or still facing during COVID?

To manage work life balance its important to have support at both the ends. My family has been very supportive in nature and to manage the work during this pandemic we have distributed some responsibilities to each family member at home that ease the pressure on one individual. At work place my colleagues are so supportive that they have helped in my work in my difficult times while I was suffering from Covid.

Do you experience mental health and stress at work? How do you cope with this?

  • Start my day with Yoga.
  • Dedicated place for my work at home.
  • Disciplined time line for all work so nothing gets hampered.
  • Playing with the children’s every evening which releases the stress.

The team in office is very supportive and helped me mentally by providing the mental support with constant checking on my health and my family members.

How can Adecco help you be more successful as a working mother?

Adecco as an organization has always given me a free hand to work. Whenever there was an urgency at home, I was always allowed to work from home so that I can take care of kids. It always gave me a feeling of Adecco is my SECOND HOME.

Sharon Joseph, Program Lead for Emirates Msp (Powered by Pontoon). 

How do you manage work, family and social life? What are the challenges that you have experienced or still facing during COVID?  

Keeping a balance between work, family and life has been challenging. Work from home has been helpful to be around family however this has definitely brought distance in social life.

Do you experience mental health and stress at work? How do you cope with this?

Yes, thinking about giving a better future for my son motivates me to cope.

How can Adecco Group help you be more successful as a working mother?

Better flexible working hours. Organizing meetups maybe on quarterly or monthly basis, can probably help each mom/dad to share their experiences of how they handle difficult times.

Ani Maksoudian, Account Manager – Staffing, Adecco Middle East

How do you manage work, family and social life? What are the challenges that you have experienced or still facing during COVID?

The limitations and travel restrictions have caused a lot of stress and disconnection between families and friends. I still struggle with this today but try and reduce the gap by connecting with family and friends through calls and video conferencing apps. Its definitely nothing close to the real interaction (face to face) but it somehow helps mentally.

Do you experience mental health and stress at work? How do you cope with this?

Yes I do, I try (still trying) to separate my work life from my family life, its very challenging but focusing on separating work hours and family hours some how helps focus better on both with the priority they need.

How can Adecco help you be more successful as a working mother?

Adecco has been very supportive and my family and I have always been grateful for this, I only request for this great support to continue.

Emelyn Suralta, Administration, Adecco Middle East

How do you manage work, family and social life? What are the challenges that you have experienced or still facing during COVID?

I’m a home body, so its easy for me to manage just work & family…. I have no social life, my social life is still with my family only.  My challenges during covid and until now, having adult children, is to keep them secure inside home, they are all grown up and cannot keep under my wings anymore, so if they wanna go out, they will go out 😊

Do you experience mental health and stress at work? How do you cope with this?

YES, I pacify myself, diverting my mind to something more positive, I count my blessings instead.

How can Adecco help you be more successful as a working mother?

Adecco can help and is already helping working mother like me by being flexible in work timings and by introducing the work from home policy even though Covid is not there yet.

Madelyn Morales, Accounting Manager, Adecco Middle East

How do you manage work, family and social life? What are the challenges that you have experienced or still facing during COVID?

Time management, goal setting and advance planning, that is how I managed work, family and social life. At work I work with a team and scheduled task submission so  I align my schedule with them and at home I align my plans with my family like school breaks, special occasions, etc. Work can be more demanding sometimes but I always make sure I have time for family.  I mixed my family and social life by engaging my family in same interest like sports, the whole family is into triathlon, we are very active and surrounded ourselves with friends with the same interest too to add more challenge and add more fun.

Do you experience mental health and stress at work? How do you cope with this?

Stress maybe part of our work life,  but being with Adecco for long time already, I have already learned how to manage stress, I have already familiarized  myself with the process and already developed good working relationship with colleagues, so basically knows how to handle them professionally.   Stress can be managed by time management  as the key, being focused, being flexible  and being  always open to  changes, accepting new challenges and keeping in mind that every task can be accomplished no matter what. Big help –  support from my  team ( thankful for having a very strong and supportive team ) and understanding  from my family always.

How can Adecco help you be more successful as a working mother?

I’m already thankful for the flexibility of the management in terms of WFH during covid and in times of personal emergencies ( school activities, family health conditions and even house emergencies).  It was never hard to request flexibility from my manager and that I am grateful.

Sangeetha Satish, Customer Service Executive, Adecco Middle East

How do you manage work, family and social life? What are the challenges that you have experienced or still facing during COVID

I have  always tried to manage and give my best to both family and work ,

challenges are like getting help from IT team it’s difficult to reach them sort of If any issue immediately  and also managing child’s online class, exam and office work at the same time.

Do you experience mental health and stress at work? How do you cope with this?

There is not much stress at work,. Sometimes it happens in that situation I do divert myself take a break and get back.

How can Adecco help you be more successful as a working mother?

Adecco itself is one of the best place to work , Adecco is always supportive to its employees.

Martina Arnold, Process Excellence Manager, Pontoon

How do you manage work, family and social life?

Starting work a little earlier than my start time really helps to know what the day holds and how to manage work. Some days its very difficult to juggle and you end up working at night when everyone are peacefully sleeping.

What are the challenges that you have experienced or still facing during COVID?

Social life has taken a twist for the better focusing on family & friends who’s relationship you value. Arranging play dates for the little ones knowing the parents are fully responsible and surrounding yourself with positive people

Do you experience mental health and stress at work? How do you cope with this?

I do experience stress with work, especially when you have deliverables for a project and time is creeping up on you. The good old “To-do” list keeps you on track and helps you focus. Stepping away from the laptop for a few stretches goes a long way.

How can Adecco Group help you be more successful as a working mother?

Maternity leave to be extended to 3 months. Arrange events where Mothers can bring their kids for entertainment. Flexibility or reduced hours would be beneficial.

We would like to thank all super mums at Adecco for sharing their story.

Wishing one and all a Happy Mother’s Day!

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