Yesterday (15), we celebrated International Families Day, founded by the United Nations in 1994 to honor the importance of families - both traditional and non-traditional. So, let’s celebrate our loved ones in our lives, and remember the crucial role families play in our cultures and societies.

As parents, we want to give our children the best start in life we can, right? And how, as working parents/caregivers, can we have the best work-life balance? Well, we do not have the formula, but we talked with some of our Families@Organon employee resource group (ERG) members to share their stories and experiences you can relate to. This is our first article of three in honor of International Family Day, and it’s about the challenge of being a working parent/caregiver.

Check it out!

Being a Parent is an Everyday Challenge

Whether picking up and dropping off to school, helping with homework, doing housework, or taking care of sick kids – all in an average working day. Jo Cook, Senior Professional Representative and a mom of two young girls, sums up this feeling very well: “The challenge as a working parent is the feeling that I am not giving my all to everything and everyone all the time. Sometimes I have the guilt over not doing enough and keeping up with the juggle of work and life.” Claudia Landgraf, Quality Control Manager, shares the same feeling. “I push myself too hard to be the best mom, best worker, and the best wife I could be. That has been my biggest challenge: accept that I am the best I can be in that moment.”

It is challenging, but it is possible. Jo says that “I really believe that I aim for work/life harmony, and the Organon Values and support help me to achieve this. There is a real family-first mindset at Organon, and I am encouraged to bring my whole self to work.” Ranti Dewi Nugrahani, Compliance Senior Specialist, adds that “Organon has its values and culture we live in. We believe that these words are not only good on paper. Work is important, but family comes first.”

Flexible work also helps the parents in everyday life. For Brian Christie, HR Business Partner, flexibility is "ensuring I can care for my children and continue to work throughout the day and catch up on other activities later in the day or into the evening." Parambir Bhangu, Executive Director, External Innovation & Emerging Science, adds that “prioritizing my family's interests, health and happiness will always be my primary motivation. I have the privilege of raising two beautiful children whilst also caring for my elderly parents. And Organon has always allowed me to set my schedule and manage my workload, such that I can have the best of both worlds: my work and my family.”

“Our company, guaranteeing us smart working and the possibility to ask for permits if the children are sick, has solved many anxieties and concerns,” says Paola Buonomo, Regulatory Affairs Senior Specialist. Being able to manage both worlds is the key!

I hope you enjoyed this first article, and I hope to see you in the next one!