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How Flexible Working Supports Parents
September 12, 2024
September 12, 2024
As the back-to-school season kicks into high gear, the challenge of balancing professional responsibilities with family commitments is top of mind for many working parents.
At ABBYY, our commitment to flexible working arrangements—such as remote work and adjustable hours—ensures that our employees can effectively juggle their career and family life. For this blog article, we spoke with four colleagues from our ABBYY team—Ivana, Elias, Camille, and Desanka—who shared their personal experiences on how ABBYY's flexible work policies have helped them balance work and family life during this busy time of year.
From managing school routines, coordinating children’s activities, and creating effective work environments at home, they talk about how our supportive work arrangements help them thrive professionally and personally.
Talent Acquisition Partner, Serbia
Ivana, who joined ABBYY a year and a half ago, is part of our talent acquisition team and is based in a small town within commuting distance of Belgrade. "My role is all about finding the right people to drive our success," is how she describes her job, and when asked what drew her to ABBYY, she told us it was a combination between the uniqueness of the company’s products and the flexibility of remote work. "The opportunity to work remotely with a flexible schedule was really appealing and aligned perfectly with my personal needs and values."
The back-to-school season in Serbia presents unique challenges, as Ivana explains. "In our small town, the elementary school operates on a rotating schedule, with classes starting either early in the morning or in the afternoon. This means my husband and I have to be adaptable, adjusting our schedules weekly to support our daughter." On top of school, her daughter’s extracurricular activities, like swimming and volleyball, add another layer of complexity. "It can be challenging to manage everything, but ABBYY’s flexible working options make it possible."
One of the biggest benefits of flexible work for Ivana is the elimination of a long commute. "Not having to commute daily is a huge time-saver," she notes. "I used to work for companies based in the capital, which meant spending a lot of time commuting. Now, I can use that time to support my daughter and take care of things at home." Ivana believes that this flexibility not only improves her productivity, but also enhances her job satisfaction. "I can stay connected with my family without feeling the stress of not spending enough time with them. It reduced the ‘mom guilt’ and it’s a balance that really works for me."
On a broader scale, Ivana sees this flexibility as a way to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce, particularly for those living outside of major cities. "When companies offer remote or hybrid work, they open up opportunities for people like me, who don’t live in urban centers, to contribute meaningfully to their success."
Head of Americas Demand Generation and Field Marketing, USA
Elias has been with ABBYY for four and a half years and works on the marketing team, focusing on demand generation for the Americas. He drives marketing campaigns that generate qualified leads for the sales teams. Reflecting on his journey with ABBYY, Elias recalls what initially attracted him to the company. "I was recruited here thanks to a friend. I knew a lot of people from my former company who had moved over here, and ABBYY was a growing company investing in marketing—so it was a nice growth opportunity for me. And funnily enough, I was told that it would be a remote job. That was February 2020, just one month before the pandemic hit."
With the back-to-school season in full swing, Elias, like many parents, is navigating the challenge of balancing work and family commitments. "In all honesty, I don’t know if I’m doing this well," he admits with a laugh. "We’re getting by, but I’m far from doing anything right in terms of work/family life balance. We have three kids, two are in school—8th and 6th grade—so they’re a bit more independent, but there’s still a lot to manage. My wife is a superstar at handling all the school events and administrative tasks, but it can be challenging with a toddler at home. So, I try to help by watching the little one when I can. And this becomes my little work break and allows me to spend quality time with her before she’s older and off to school too. Of course, my wife and I can’t do it all on our own so we get help from family."
Elias emphasizes how ABBYY’s flexible working options have made a significant difference in his ability to be present for his family. "This has been great. Since joining ABBYY, I’ve been able to do things that I couldn’t in my previous office job. For example, I’ve been able to attend school performances, family lunch days, and even drop the kids off each morning. I can schedule my meetings around these times. I actually took their first day of school off because it’s a big deal. My kids used to love me walking them right to their class, but now they just want me to leave as soon as we get inside the gate," he says with a smile. "I love the flexibility I’m given to do all this."
When it comes to productivity and job satisfaction, Elias believes the flexible working arrangements at ABBYY are key. "It plays a huge part in my job satisfaction. At this stage of life, being present for my kids is very important, and my job here at ABBYY allows me to do that. And if I’m satisfied with my job, then I’m more productive."
Content Strategy and Development Manager, Global
Camille Womack, who has been with ABBYY for over five years, is a key player in the company’s corporate marketing team. "I’m responsible for developing content that’s published on our website, like eBooks, case studies, and videos," she shares. Camille’s decision to join ABBYY was influenced by the positive experiences of her former colleagues. "Several of my previous coworkers had joined the company, and they had great things to say. The idea of working in such a positive environment was really appealing to me."
When asked about managing the back-to-school season, Camille tells us that "back-to-school time is always a bit hectic, but it’s also a welcome return to routine...the kids being in school gives me more focused work time, which is really valuable.". The flexibility offered by ABBYY plays an important role in Camille’s ability to balance her responsibilities. "It’s such a relief to know that I can show up for both my kids and my job, all in the same day. This flexibility means I can be productive without feeling torn between work and family."
One of the most significant impacts of working from home has been on her family life. "Before I started working from home, I had to pick up my kids from school hours after it had ended.. Now, I can be there when school finishes, which gives us extra time together. It’s a gift I don’t take for granted."
And as a bonus, Camille’s home office setup has become a cozy, personal space that makes her workday even more enjoyable. "My dog and cat are always with me, adding a bit of unpredictability to my day, but it’s never lonely!".
People Operations Partner, Serbia
Desanka, ABBYY’s People Operations Partner responsible for the Serbian team, has been with the company for almost two years. In her role, she works closely with teams across the organization to enhance the employee experience and ensure that HR operations run smoothly. "I focus on developing strategies that align our people practices with our business goals," Desanka explains. "Fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their best work is something I’m really passionate about."
As a parent, Desanka appreciates the flexibility ABBYY provides, especially during the back-to-school season. "I’m fortunate that my children, aged 10 and 11, are responsible and know what’s expected of them. They handle their tasks well, which certainly helps in managing our daily routines," she shares. However, even with her children being at an age where she can trust them to manage their school responsibilities, the flexibility ABBYY offers remains invaluable. "The ability to adjust my schedule and work from home means I can still be present for them, ensuring that everything runs smoothly, especially during their busy training schedules."
Desanka's children are both deeply involved in sports, with rigorous training sessions five times a week, including weekends. "They are both passionate about their activities, and as a parent, it’s important for me to support them," she says. "But coordinating their training sessions, schoolwork, and other activities can be challenging." This is where ABBYY’s benefits become particularly valuable. One example the FitPass membership offered to colleagues here in Serbia, which gives everyone access to gyms, pools, and fitness centers across the country. "I’m grateful for the FitPass benefit, which allows me to use the closest gym or pool for my workouts while my children are training. It helps me make the most of our time without feeling like I’m just waiting around."
The start of the school year doesn’t significantly disrupt Desanka’s routine, thanks to her strong organizational skills. "I’m very well organized, and I’ve learned that self-care is essential, so I make sure to find time for activities that help me recharge," she says.
The biggest challenge, however, is managing her children's packed schedules, which require constant coordination and support and Desanka highlights how ABBYY’s flexible working options contribute greatly to maintaining the right balance. "I’ve found that I’m more productive when I have the freedom to manage my time, rather than sticking to a standard schedule. It improves my focus and efficiency, knowing that I can concentrate fully on my tasks. Having the right balance between work and family allows me to perform at my best professionally. "
Whether it's managing the demands of a busy school year, coordinating children's activities, or simply being present for their families, ABBYY empowers its team members to work in a way that suits their unique lifestyles. At ABBYY, we understand that life doesn’t fit into a rigid schedule, and our commitment to flexibility ensures that our employees can thrive both at work and at home.
Curious to learn more about how ABBYY supports a healthy work-life balance and interested in joining our team? Visit abbyy.com/careers to explore our job opportunities and see why ABBYY is a great place to work.
