Mothers can be successful consultants too

While I was pregnant I was in charge of a very important project; I was travelling a lot, and had to be very flexible. But this flexibility also had its benefits, because it meant that I was able to fit in all the ante-natal care appointments, and in the end both projects – official and personal – turned out very successfully.

In December I started maternity leave, but of course I still attended the office Christmas Party. After the birth I kept in contact with my colleagues, and during the months at home I still had the feeling that I belonged to ZLU. I was also at the summer event and a lot of people were asking when I would be coming back. I hardly ever thought about stopping work, and obviously none of my colleagues had thought about the possibility either.

In the end, the return to work came a bit suddenly: “We need you for a week, and the best thing would be if you could start tomorrow.” I then provided support for one project or the other on a day-by-day basis, and we had soon worked out an arrangement for the payment.

By the time the next smaller projects came along I had organised a child minder who looked after my son Fabian at our home – and my boss made sure that I was able to do a lot of the work from my home office.

Following Fabian’s first birthday he started going to a small day-care centre, where they look after him lovingly. I started working “full time” again as a consultant. In fact I actually work a 30-hour week at the moment, but consultancy cannot be divided up into six hours for five days a week. I usually spend 3 days a week working with clients and spend some time working from my home office.

If there is a lot of work in a project then I can end up working a few hours more, but an opportunity soon arises to even things out – showing some flexibility can be to everybody’s benefit.

The advantage for ZLU is that they have a satisfied, dedicated employee – because with a little more time at your disposal it is easier to take the pressures of the job in your stride. Personally, I also enjoy the variety: getting out of the house, and having a few days a week only for myself gives me the strength to really enjoy the days when I am there for my family.