The journey to motherhood
Early in her career, Sneha Kallukaran thrived in a fast-paced, competitive environment. But as she contemplated the next chapter of her life, priorities started shifting. She knew that flexibility would become increasingly important.
“I wanted to keep working, but if I was going to bring children into our family, I wanted to devote time to them. I wanted both,” Sneha told us as we sat down to discuss her journey to motherhood.
This search led Sneha to CLS, a company renowned for its supportive culture and commitment to work-life balance. She found a role well suited to her skill set that offered the opportunity to learn new skills and work in a collaborative team. CLS’s clear focus on employee well-being offered the flexibility and understanding Sneha needed to thrive inside and outside the workplace.
We caught up with Sneha to hear more about her transition into motherhood as a Talent Acquisition Manager at CLS, including her best advice for a successful return to work after parental leave.
Leaping into motherhood, with a safety net
From her first interviews, Sneha was drawn to CLS’s people-first culture.
“The interviewers spoke highly of the maternity leave and the experience of other women who had returned to work,” she recalls. “Work-life balance was a hot topic that I kept hearing about in all my interviews. Every interviewer was so intelligent and motivated, and it was refreshing to hear so much about their families and how working from home gave them time back with their kids.”
These sentiments were validated when Sneha became pregnant with her first child. The handover process was completed well in advance, ensuring everyone felt comfortable before Sneha’s leave. Early in the process, CLS’s benefits specialist walked her through her maternity leave options, which included four months of fully paid time off or a six-month alternative.
“She was very honest with me because I wanted to know: Does anyone take the full six months? Was there an unspoken rule that six months is frowned upon?” Sneha was pleased to learn that CLS employees actually did take six months, as the policy was truly intended to support employees and allow them the time they need to adjust to their new family dynamic.
Now a family of four
After parental leave, Sneha felt she had come back to a team that really appreciated what she did and welcomed her return. Several projects had already been lined up to seamlessly usher her back into the team dynamic.
Sneha was also assigned an executive coach to help with her continued growth. “My coach helped me empower myself, which is so important because the person you are when you leave work and the person you are when you come back feel very different. You now have two jobs. My coach urged me to speak my mind and take on a leadership role on the team. That was really helpful advice.”
When Sneha had her second child, she quickly recognized the heightened responsibility.
“Having two is very different from having one,” she laughs. “I didn’t feel entirely ready to come back at the end of four months.”
Again, CLS extended her maternity leave to six months. Sneha also had flexibility with respect to her work location and schedule on the days she needed to be closer to home.
“It speaks volumes that I even felt comfortable asking for flexibility. With other employers, I might have thought, ‘No one else is asking. How will this make me look?’ But at CLS, the focus is on flexibility and working in a way that allows you to put your best foot forward. And that is so important for any working parent.”
Three tips for returning to work after parental leave
As she reflected on her successes and challenges, Sneha shared three tips for a smooth transition back to the workplace as a new (or even seasoned) parent:
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. “As working parents, we put pressure on ourselves to do everything. When help is available, accept it.”
- Take care of yourself, too. “I used to think that if I'm getting help, I need to deep clean the house and do everyone's laundry. But, sometimes, I just want to lie on my bed or go for a walk. Time to ourselves really helps us recharge.”
- Enjoy both sides of your identity because they complement each other. “Sometimes, what gets me through the day is knowing I can cuddle with my children after work or play at the playground. And it works the other way around too – there are moments when it's stressful with my kids, and I just want to go to my office and dive into something that uses a different part of my brain.”
Sneha’s journey is a testament to how a nurturing workplace can help you balance your professional aspirations with your personal life and thrive in both environments.
“I wouldn't have returned to CLS if I hadn’t wanted to stay in the game,” she tells us. “I'm here because I’m passionate about my job, just like I'm passionate about my kids and my family.”
Want to join a workplace that empowers and supports working parents? CLS, the organization trusted by thousands of counterparties within the global FX ecosystem, is hiring! Explore CLS career opportunities here.
