At the beginning of this year, we implemented a 9-day working fortnight giving employees the opportunity to take alternate Fridays off for no loss of pay, enhance employee wellbeing and create a good work-life balance. So far this has proven to be a huge success.
This week three members of our team tell us how this has benefitted their work-life balance in terms of balancing work with family commitments, combining work with care responsibilities and making it easier to combine work with studying.
Claire Mullan, Commercial Director: Balancing a career and young family
Returning to work after maternity leave can be extremely daunting. The balancing act of a career and a young family has become increasingly demanding, but esc were eager to support me to continue doing the job I love.
I have been with esc for 10 years and the flexibility has allowed me to balance having a young family and continuing my career. I enjoy working in the office and spending time with my colleagues, meeting our clients and consultant team members, but I can also work from home or take advantage of the 9-day working fortnight arrangement to suit my family commitments.
The positive environment at esc and the team of great people makes it a fantastic place to work in the office or remotely.
Jane Cherry, Bid Manager: Balancing work and homelife
I have family commitments which make it impossible for me to be away from home 5 days a week. The hybrid working is the best of both worlds for me. Being able to work from home benefits my family and I look forward to my days in the office to meet with the team, interact with everyone, exchanging ideas and learning in the friendly collaborative atmosphere.
Without the flexibility of esc I would not be able to work full-time as I enjoy doing. The 9-day working fortnight is fantastic. Not only can I plan long weekends and trips away, but it also affords me the flexibility to spend extra time with family and friends, and better manage my work-life balance.
Jonny Fullerton, Student Quantity Surveyor: Balancing part-time study with work
Studying on a part-time basis while working in industry can be difficult. However, the flexible working at esc has allowed me to attend my classes at Ulster University with ease and given me the option to take a different day for study leave on weeks where I have assessments or classes have been moved.
Working while studying has further enhanced my knowledge of the industry; my colleagues are helping me to gain ‘real world’ understanding of what is being delivered by the university. Getting their opinions and understanding of what is being delivered in each module I’m studying has been really beneficial.
At esc performance is measured on outcomes, not hours spent sitting at a desk. Check out our Careers page to read more about working at esc.