VIEWPOINT
time on your feet; driving a van; uniforms... the list went on. I quickly realised that while we are driving in the right direction for females in the industry, what happens when family life starts is still shaky ground.
We welcomed our beautiful daughter Aurla into the world on 4th April 2016 and after 8 months on maternity leave everything changed again. Now my day starts at 5.45am, I get up and get myself ready for the working day. Aurla will then get up around 6.30am so I need to get her ready for nursery and drop her off at grandparents. I am sure many people will ask “why 5.45am?” Our industry wakes up early and the common 7.30am rush starts within the branch. A day within a merchant can be physically exhausting as well as
mentally tiring. At 5pm or there after I turn back into mum, with a dance class to get to, dinner to be made, washing to be done, bath and bed.
Of course, most Dads play their part and I would never take away from my husband as he will take a turn at the mad morning run while I head into work earlier to catch up.
My determination and ambition never went away when I became a mum, if anything I am more determined to succeed not only for me but now for Aurla. I want her to have the work ethic and drive that my parents gave to me. Through Aurla’s eyes she knows no different than to have a working mum, in her little world I am as perfect to her as she is to me.
When I speak to other women
in the industry, there always seems to be an elephant in the room in terms of family planning. We need to get away from this so women can feel comfortable talking about their plans and this will support businesses in making change happen but also help them plan for the future. We should not shy away from women wanting to start a family or have more children, the industry should be supporting them and, in turn, this will encourage more women to come into the industry and reinforce confidence for career progression.
In this ever changing world where we strive for equality, the realisation is that our needs and wellbeing are different from a man; the question is “where do we find the balance?” BMJ
“
When I speak to other women in the industry, there always seems to be an elephant in the room in terms of family planning.
”
March 2018
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
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