WORKING PARENTS

While the days may be long and filled with challenges, the rewards of building a fulfilling career alongside raising children are truly unique.

To gain a better understanding of the working parent experience, we interviewed two of our colleagues. Bellow you will find the answers from Xiaojie Zhang from China and Brian Walker from USA. Their responses were not only insightful but also deeply inspiring.

Let's talk about managing work and family life. Can you share a specific approach you've developed to find balance between your career goals and your role as a parent?

Xiaojie: I strive to achieve work-life harmony. Each week, I travel to my workplace in Shanghai City, which is 300 km away from home, and stay there for 3 days. This allows me to dedicate focused time to my job. Then, I return home for 2 days of remote work, where I can be more involved in the daily care of my young children. While the weekly travel is demanding, I find this approach effectively balances my career goals with my role as a parent.

Brian: At the end of the day, we are all "people", both at work and at home. I believe communication is key. Open communication about work obligations and ambitions with my wife, and likewise about family/personal events with my manager has been very effective. Additionally, Vitesco Technologies’ Mobile Work and Time Models policies has encouraged this communication, allowing  greater flexibility and improves overall work-life balance.

Have you ever had concerns or doubts about whether you can fulfill your professional ambitions and your responsibilities as a parent at the same time? If so, how did you deal with this?

Xiaojie: Last year I had the opportunity to transfer to China Headquarter. It’s a big step for me to have the cross location experience, but my elder daughter is facing the challenge to start the journey of primary school and my little daughter was only 3 years old. It’s a very hard decision but I decided to take the chance with the support from my husband and the flexible working model company provided. With this story I hope my daughters could understand as a women/parent you are also able to strive to career aspiration.

Brian: There are times of stress where both worlds collide. These moments for me are rarer compared with the past. I think this is due to a healthy understanding of the big picture. If someone (work or home) is disappointed, I try to find ways to "make-up" or compensate to let them know it was important for me.

 

A strong support system can make a big difference. Who or what has been the most helpful resource for you in navigating your career while raising children?

Xiaojie: I really appreciated the work flexibility model. Meanwhile, our Employee Resource Group (ERG) “Working Parents” provided an allyship and communication platform for the working parents. In addition, the Employee Assistant Program could provide professional consulting services once I have anxiety. Don't forget, our family members always stand by us.

Brian: This is a difficult question to answer because I’m not aware of any formal “resources”. I would say my support system, who is aware of my both family situation and my career ambitions, and it consists of my wife, various mentors within Vitesco Technologies, and Human Relations colleagues. But I would add that every person (even if they don’t have children of their own) is aware of the joys and struggles of raising children and offer words of wisdom on career ambitions.

What policies Vitesco Technologies offers that have been particularly helpful in supporting working parents?

Xiaojie: Vitesco Technologies offers a range of policies and activities that support work-life balance and employee well-being globally and regionally, including Work Flexibility Model, Parental Leave, Supplementary Commercial Medical Insurance for employees' children, Family Day (children visiting the office), Working Parents ERG community, etc.

Brian: First and foremost, the Mobile Work and Time Models policies have been a game-changer. Just being present in the home during the workday has provided many benefits to my family (safety, flexibility, being present, etc.). While I was not able to benefit from our paternal leave for any of my children, now that it is an official policy, I view this as a huge benefit to families (not just for the father). Lastly, company family events are very much appreciated. It helps bridge the two worlds of colleagues and families.

Being a working parent has its rewards. Have you noticed any positive ways that your work life has influenced your parenting, or vice versa?

Xiaojie: I often share my parenting stories with colleagues, seeking suggestions and learning from others with similar experiences. The biggest positive influence comes from knowing that my two daughters are proud of me. They see me as a professional woman who has achieved personal goals and contributed value to my organization. This spirit of independence, embracing challenges, and striving for success will guide them in their future endeavors.

Brian: I have been working since I was a teenager and I have been a parent for 20 years already. It would be impossible to believe that one doesn’t influence the other. I view myself in a unique position to be a role model for both. I hope colleagues view me as a parent role model, and my family views me as a role model in the workplace.

 

If you liked this interview, don´t miss out on more of our employee stories: