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It’s Global Parents Day and we want to highlight two of our working parents
01/06/23
At PwC, we aim to find the best solution for working parents so that our people can mesh family life and work in alignment to their personal and professional requirements. We also know that becoming and being a parent is a balancing act. That’s why we have several offers in place such as our parental leave policy, working part-time, taking unpaid leave or finding suitable day care.
To mark the Global Parents Day, we’ve asked two of our working parents to share their stories. Read all about Kim’s and Tobias’ experiences here.
Interview with Tobias Meier Kern
1. What’s your role?
I’m a director, working on a 70% basis. We work within the Risk Management in Tax and Legal Services.
2. Why did you decide to work part-time?
When our twins were born in 2001, my wife and I decided to share parenting responsibilities. Since then, Thursday has always been my family day, looking after our children, which I’ve enjoyed immensely. As you might have figured out, my children are grown up now. However, in 2010, I was elected into the city council of the town I live in. So I’ve been able to pursue that line of engagement during my day off.
"What made a huge difference was that my coach as well as the team were very supportive and adapted to me not being available on Thursdays. Now, with the Hybrid Flexible Model, working part-time has become even easier to organise, which is a great benefit."
3. How does PwC support you in juggling family and working life?
Back in 2001, working part-time as a man was not very common. So our company did not have any of the offers we have today, but having flexible working hours and being able to compensate overtime etc. certainly helped. What made a huge difference was that my coach as well as the team were very supportive and adapted to me not being available on Thursdays. Now, with the Hybrid Flexible Model, working part-time has become even easier to organise, which is a great benefit.
Of course, working part-time and parenting require great flexibility from myself, my family and my team members. But everyone’s been very considerate and understanding, including my colleagues and clients.
I’m very grateful for the support our company has offered and continues to offer. This way, I was able to work part-time and pursue a fulfilling career. The lasting benefit is the strong relationship with my children and having been able to watch them grow up. I wouldn’t want to have missed out on that.
Interview with Kim Paul
1. What’s your role at PwC?
I work in the Business Development team (FamBiz/Middle Market) on a 90% basis. Our team supports companies and the families who are the owners of said companies.
I deal with pressing tasks and questions almost daily, e.g. the challenges of innovation, digitalisation and sustainability. In collaboration with our partners and colleagues, we can assist in finding a bulletproof owner strategy and solutions specifically tailored to our clients’ needs. In addition to being responsible for business development in Eastern Switzerland, I organise events and issue publications on current topics.
2. Why did you decide to work 90%?
I’m a mother of two and want to spend time with my children while they’re still young, at the moment especially my youngest son, who will start kindergarten soon. My older son will be in 4th grade in summer. Being able to work 90% in four days is a huge advantage because I can take Mondays off and look after them so we can spend quality time together.
"I appreciate working in a family-friendly company culture and that the communication around families and parenting is very transparent and encouraging."
3. How does PwC support you in juggling family and working life?
There are various offers for mothers and fathers (to be) which can be adapted in accordance with one’s individual needs, e.g. flexible working-time models or parental leave. I also appreciate working in a family-friendly company culture and that the communication around families and parenting is very transparent and encouraging. For example, it’s very common to have mothers in leadership positions which is fantastic and a great motivation! Having role models in place is key.
Many of my colleagues also work part-time. That might sometimes need more coordination but our work is not affected. Pursuing an ambitious career and being a parent is a choice one has to make by oneself. For me, it’s enriching and was definitely the right thing to do!
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