Parents’ Day and Elvie: A conversation with Junior Copywriter, Etienne

It’s no easy feat to keep another tiny human being alive and thriving. It’s a full-time job on top of your full-time job.

Parenthood is so uniquely complicated and unpredictable. Take my sis-in-law, for example. When she was a toddler, she snuck into the garage to eat fertilizer. Dangerously delicious for her—and a day at the hospital for the whole family. See? Unpredictable. ?? 

Even with the most thorough lists, pre-packed bags, and late-night research, it’s impossible to prepare for where parenthood will take you. It’s demanding, constant, and exhausting. 

So, for employers, the challenge is on: support working parents with flexibility while empowering them to thrive in their roles. And naturally, that’s what we’re all about here at Elvie. 

Parents are never the unsung heroes for us. And for Parents’ Day 2022, we’re launching our Elvie People series speaking with one of our own amazing in-house mamas, Etienne Paddy:  

Hey Etienne! 

Can you tell us a bit about your role and what drew you to Elvie?

I’m a Junior Copywriter. And this entails handling copy requests from all areas of the company. It’s a very creative and rewarding role, and I love every second of it. 

I was drawn to Elvie because a) I’m a passionate feminist— and that’s what the mission’s all about and b) I’d come across Elvie Pump when I became a mother and was blown away by the thought that had gone into it, and by how empowering and intuitive it was. 

I’d used a plug-in breast pump with my son, which was restrictive.  So, I really appreciated how life-changing this product was, and I was determined to be a part of the company that created it and the revolution in female technology.

How have you found balancing parenting and a full-time job?

Honestly, it’s been a dream. My son is at nursery three days a week, and the two days he’s at home are totally manageable, thanks to Elvie’s flexibility. As a result, I have the power to make decisions that allow me to both be an efficient parent and employee.

What do you think about Elvie’s policies around flexi-working?

Life-changing. As a parent, you always worry about your child falling ill, or having to pick them up at a moment’s notice, etc., which would (unfairly) put a black mark against your name with most other employers. Thanks to Elvie’s policies, such as ‘Life Leave’, (where we have a handful of paid days off to use as and when the need arises), I don’t have this stress, as I know work will be fully accommodating. 

How do Elvie’s policies and ways of working compare to previous employers?

My previous work was reasonably accommodating, but I had to fight to work remotely two days a week because of crippling nursery fees. And, when my son fell ill, I felt guilty for having to take additional days to work remotely. 

My employer before that (hospitality industry) would have been wholly intolerant of any unavoidable parenting interruptions to the working day, and I would have found life extremely stressful working under those conditions.

Do you have any tips or advice you would recommend for making the most of time spent with baby while still keeping on top of work?

I find it rewarding to commit your time entirely to one or the other as best you can. I know from experience that working from home with my toddler always goes better if I take a chunk of time to focus on work and then dedicate some time to playing with him and giving him my full attention. These small breaks with my son also give my mind a little break and help me focus more on work when I return to it.

Any other thoughts to share?

My mental health has vastly improved since starting with Elvie. It feels so liberating not to feel like you’re being punished for being a parent and not feel like you have to constantly apologise for this wonderful role you play outside of work. I feel valued as a human being, and it’s such a shame that this isn’t just the norm in all workplaces. It works to fight against the awful gender inequality that sees many women give up their careers because of childcare issues.

To find out more about Elvie’s mission and flexible working policies, follow us on LinkedIn and visit Elvie.com.