What is the work-life balance like in your role?

Luckily First Central are an incredibly inclusive employer and allow colleagues to work flexibly where reasonably possible. For example, I work remotely from my parent's home on Fridays to give my step-dad a break, as he is a full-time carer for my mum who has final stage COPD. I try to schedule my workload so I do most of my admin on Fridays, which allows me to be available if the Nurse visits or if Mum needs anything.



In terms of the job itself, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hugely busy. The role requires a high level of engagement with a range of stakeholders and facilitating our Community Meetings (ERGs). However, I do have a great deal of autonomy and am empowered to manage my time in a way which meets both business and personal needs. With the exception of the regulatory responsibilities, much of the project work for ESG can be paced as deemed appropriate by the company that you are working for.

First Central have a great flexible working policy. In my role I have complete autonomy to manage my own time which means I choose which days I work from home and when I go in to the office. This is generally based around stakeholder requirements; I work from wherever I need to in order to get the best outcomes for everyone! Day to day, I manage my calendar to allow me to drop off and pick up my children from school and nursery when I need to. Providing I deliver what I need to and make myself available to colleagues/stakeholders when they need me, First Central encourage making full use of the flexible working policy to allow a great work - life balance.

As a part time colleague and a busy mum to young twins, work-life balance is more important to me now than ever before! I love the fact that I am trusted to make my own decisions about where I work the majority of the time (i.e. remotely or in the office) and that, when required, I can manage my time around things that crop up such as doctors appointments and school plays! I also feel very fortunate that I was able to submit a flexible working request when my daughters started primary school last year, changing my hours to those that were better suited to school hours. First Central really recognise that work is only one aspect of colleagues' lives, and to me this is invaluable.

First Central recognises that many colleagues have commitments outside of work and encourages a flexible working environment. As a working parent, it's great that I can manage my own time and work location. There are no mandated number of days in the office which means colleagues can manage this themselves. I go into the office as and when needed and love the flexibility of working from home. It means I can balance family life with work life and makes a huge difference to me. It's one of the reasons I love working here and it's the part of the culture that I value the most.

Our flexible working policy and in particular working from home has made a huge difference to my work life balance. My role can be very busy but having the space and quiet at home allows me to really focus during my working hours and means I can finish on time. Not to mention zero commuting time!