03 DECEMBER 2024
Navigating maternity leave can be a significant moment in anyone’s journey. Recently Anna Meheran, Technology Operations Coordinator, shared her experiences and highlighted the genuine care and encouragement she received from the company and her colleagues in the lead up to and on her return from maternity leave. Anna’s story reflects our commitment to ensuring everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered. Read on below!
How long have you been with Flutter International and can you tell us a bit about your role?
I will have been here 5 years next summer! I have a supporting role as a Technology Operations Coordinator primarily within the International division in Leeds. I help with anything from admin to projects or even events, wherever I may be needed at the time.
How did you find the process of communicating your pregnancy to your team?
Letting my line manager and colleagues know was incredibly easy because I have great working relationships with individuals who are happy for me and supportive. The process of letting our HR team know has always been very easy and they guide you through the process. It has never felt like an inconvenience - only ever something that should be celebrated.
Do you have any nervousness about going on maternity leave?
I wouldn't say so. I think because I have always been able to have very open conversations and ask all the questions I need to it hasn't ever felt daunting to go on maternity leave. Sometimes I think there's a worry about leaving certain projects or how your working relationships that you have worked hard to grow will last during your absence. But overall I have always felt very reassured.
How did you feel about coming back to work after your time off before?
I think it's very normal for anyone returning to work after lengthy absence to feel a bit nervous. You are stepping back in to a world where the landscape has potentially changed, a lot, since you left. It feels almost like starting from scratch which is where the anxiety can creep in. Honestly, you wonder if your brain even has capacity left in it for work related items after being filled with sleep schedules, baby weaning ideas and nursery rhymes. But you adapt - finding a new rhythm and a new normal. You eventually learn to separate parent brain and work brain (most of the time!)
What did Flutter International do to support your transition back?
I initially returned part time to help with the adjustment and the juggle of life. I also attended an organised course for returning parents which consisted of regular weekly zoom calls that focused on different areas that we may have been struggling with. For me that was imposter syndrome, so it really helped learning this was normal and I was also able to access other resources to help with this. Other than that, simply having colleagues who were willing to spend time catching me up on everything I needed to know and being patient in letting me slowly pick things back up - that made a huge difference.
How do you find working life now?
Becoming a parent changed my whole way of thinking. I returned as a completely different person and had to almost re-learn and re-wire my brain switch between the different roles that now co-existed in my brain. It's definitely something that becomes easier with time. I am very fortunate to have an understanding line manager and colleagues - who appreciate when I need sometimes to adapt my working hours to accommodate something outside of work like nursery pick-up. What's really amazing is that I feel zero pressure to choose between my child and my work - it feels like a very comfortable balance.
What advice would you give any expecting parents considering a role here?
The support and the benefits are second to none. I'm really glad I got to experience my pregnancy into new parent journey with Flutter.
Thank you Anna for taking the time to tell us more about your story and we’re wishing you all the best on your next chapter as a family!
Interested in joining a company that puts you first? Explore our open roles and see how we support our team members every step of the way: Search Jobs - Find your perfect role. | Flutter International
