Jessica Hersch’s Post

Three months back after maternity leave with my second child—and what a whirlwind it’s been! 🌪️ Returning to a fast-paced company like Broadwick Group after baby number two has been both rewarding and challenging in ways I couldn't have fully anticipated. As People Director, juggling multiple priorities is second nature, but motherhood (x2!) has redefined the concept of balance. The Highs: ✨ Reconnecting with my amazing colleagues: The camaraderie, collaboration, and energy that our team brings every day is truly inspiring. Being part of a company where people support each other—whether they’re colleagues or parents—has made the transition so much smoother. ✨ Rediscovering my professional passion: I’ve come back feeling more motivated than ever to create meaningful impact, not just within my team but in shaping a work culture that values and champions growth and belonging for every team member. ✨ New perspectives as a parent of two: Parenthood brings fresh empathy and patience. Each new experience as a mother enriches my leadership approach and deepens my understanding of the importance of having a passion and working hard, but also remembering to enjoy the down time. The Challenges: ⚡ Finding balance: Balancing my roles as a parent of two and a leader in a high-growth business has tested my time management like never before. It’s a constant juggle, and some days feel like a marathon (or a sprint 😅). #Teethingwoes 😴 ⚡ Managing expectations—both personal and professional: It’s easy to feel the pressure of being "all-in" on both fronts. But I’ve learned (and am still learning) that it’s okay to ask for help, to delegate, and to take things one step at a time. Grateful to Broadwick for the support and flexibility during this transition. And to my incredible team Freya Patton Assoc CIPD, Kirsten O'Connor, Max Ruff and Chelsea Abbey—you make the juggle possible. Here’s to continuing the journey with passion, purpose, and patience! 🙌 #WorkingMom #Leadership #HR #CareerBalance #BackToWork #MaternityJourney #MomOfTwo

This Mother's Day, we honor the incredible working moms who balance the demands of career and family with grace and determination. 🌷 Let's recognize their unwavering dedication and resilience, not just today, but every day. Show appreciation by thanking them for their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to excellence. Together, we can foster an environment where all moms thrive and succeed. 💼👩💼 #happymothersday #workingmom #humanresources #hrconsulting

Double celebration today! Happy New Month and Happy Workers' Day! May is here, marking a brand new month with fresh beginnings and exciting chances to chase those dreams you've been contemplating. If you've shelved some of your plans for the year, it's another opportunity to pick up where you left off. Today, we also celebrate Workers' Day. I want to wish all workers out there a very happy Workers' Day! Your dedication and hard work make a real difference. Wishing you all joy, success, and fulfillment in your endeavors. On a personal note, May also happens to be my birthday month. I'll be another year older and feeling super grateful for everything. I'm looking forward to seeing what this month brings. This is from me to you; 📌 Set some goals and crush them! This is your chance to shine again. 📌 Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Growth often happens just beyond what's familiar. 📌 Learn something new every day. Keep your mind curious and keep growing. 📌 Celebrate your wins, big and small. Every accomplishment this month deserves recognition. 📌 Be kind to yourself and others. A little positivity goes a long way. Wishing you all a productive and joyful May! ✨✨✨ #happynewmonth #may #productivity #happyworkersday

This was my first week back at work. I’ve been on maternity leave this summer (I had a baby boy!). And I have a confession: I had no clue how to navigate prepping for maternity leave. I’m in HR – I should know, right? Well, I didn’t. All I knew was I wanted my leave to be a success for me, my team, and my org. But I had no clue how I was going to get there. So, I read “Carry Strong” by Stephanie Kramer. I can't recommend it enough. Whether you’re preparing to personally go out on leave. Or have a team member preparing to go out on leave. 3 of the top lessons I learned from “Carry Strong”: 1️⃣ Deeply consider what’s best for you Don’t just mimic what you’ve seen. Then? Be confident in what you’ve decided. 2️⃣ Be ready for assumptions People will do what they think is best for you. They mean well. But make sure it aligns with what you’ve determined in #1. Speak up if it doesn’t. 3️⃣ Hold things loosely You have a vision for what you want work life to look like before & during. Your vision will almost definitely change for one reason or another. Plan on it changing, and it’ll be much easier to adjust. I had such a fulfilling leave, and it feels great to be back! Shout out to my team at Bloomerang. Couldn’t have done it without you. 🙏 --------------------------------------------------------   ♻ Repost if you found this helpful and follow me, Amy Mencarelli, to grow your HR career.

At Marketing Intent, our close-knit team recently navigated a period of growth and reflection when Alise took her maternity leave. This journey emphasized the importance of preparation, adaptability, and the strength of our team in providing comprehensive client service. When Alise returned, our team felt whole again. Her time away was a testament to the strong bonds and seamless communication within our team. Alise expressed the joy of spending uninterrupted time with her family while also missing her work family. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) we had in place eased her transition back, allowing her to easily re-engage with her responsibilities. Alise’s return brought a renewed sense of routine and productivity. Her ability to integrate her personal and professional roles showcased her exceptional organizational skills. Our clients, who frequently inquired about her return, also felt her absence, a testament to the strong relationships she has built. The past few weeks with Alise back in her role as VP of Client Success have been fantastic. Marketing Intent is ready to tackle new challenges and continue delivering exceptional service. We've just welcomed a new client and added another team member to our account management team. At Marketing Intent, we understand the complexities of the marketing landscape. Our experience during Alise’s maternity leave has only strengthened our abilities. If you need assistance with marketing, we're here to help. Reach out to us at Marketing Intent, and let's discuss how we can support your needs and goals. #MarketingIntent #TeamStrength #ClientSuccess #WorkLifeBalance

We sadly lost our Auntie Carol earlier this month.   Being my granny’s best friend, she was one of those “chosen aunties", rather than being a blood relative. She was kind, fun and always laughed at her own silliness.   Based on rigid workplace policies I've encountered in the past, it’s so important not to confine compassionate leave to predefined scenarios or relationships. The company I now work for acknowledges that life's challenges can vary a lot from person to person.   In a world where empathy often takes a backseat to productivity, I was struck by how refreshing hyble’s approach is. It's not just about fulfilling duties; it's about genuinely caring for your team members as human beings first and foremost.   Having experienced first-hand the rigidity of other “traditional” leave policies, I can't help but appreciate the freedom and understanding that hyble extends to us. It fosters an environment where individuals feel supported and valued, even during life's most challenging moments.   I'm proud to be a part of a company that recognises the importance of compassion and flexibility in the workplace. Thank you, hyble for setting the standard for what it truly means to support your employees beyond just professional obligations.   #hyble #Compassion #EmployeeSupport #FlexibleLeavePolicy #WorkplaceCulture

Back to Work After Maternity Leave! After three transformative months of maternity leave, I'm excited to be back in the game! I’ve missed the thrill of recruitment, collaborating with my incredible team, and helping talented professionals find their next great opportunity 🚀 Motherhood is teaching me patience, adaptability, and a whole new level of multitasking—skills I’m eager to bring back to my work! To all the working parents out there, how do you balance work and family life? I’d love to hear your insights! 👇 #BackToWork #MaternityLeave #WorkingMom #Recruitment #Teamwork #WorkLifeBalance

Are people at your workplace "quiet quitting"? A lack of joy may be the reason. Ultimately, we need to feel safe, secure, and appreciated, and to have opportunities to use our talents in ways that contribute to a joyful workplace. Read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gMAzDyxS #PuttingPeopleFirst #PuttingPeople1st #EmployeeWorks #JoyfulWorkplaceRevolution

Life Update Returning to work after a 6-month maternity leave (which I opted voluntarily) was both exciting and challenging. Leaving my second-born behind for the first time made me nervous for almost a month before stepping back into my role. But I was incredibly fortunate to have an amazing support system—my husband and our parents—who encouraged me to pursue what truly makes me happy. I am forever grateful for their unwavering support. Work has always been something that brings me fulfillment, and I’m proud to say that my employer Énergie NB Power has played a key role in making this transition smoother. From the moment I walked back into the office, every single colleague greeted me with a warm smile, and my managers were understanding and flexible, truly listening to my needs as a mother. Their support has been invaluable, and I’m able to juggle both my career and family life because of their trust and flexibility. To all the women out there who may fear returning to work or hesitate to pursue opportunities while pregnant, I want to share my experience. I was hired when I was 6 months pregnant, and the respect I’ve received from my employer has been unwavering. The words they shared with me, “You are a great asset to our team, and our decision will never change,” are something I will never forget. It’s amazing to work for a company that values and also understands the importance of family life. Grateful for the balance, flexibility, and understanding that allow me to thrive both as a mother and a professional. 🌟 If you're someone who is passionate about working in an amazing organization, we have several exciting positions available! Click the link below to apply and take the next step in your career. https://lnkd.in/eQDvsvZs #MaternityLeave #CareerAndFamily #WorkLifeBalance #Grateful #SupportSystem #Flexibility #WomenInTheWorkplace #Leadership #EmployeeWellbeing #NBPower

🌟 I’ll be honest—when I was pregnant, I wasn’t sure I’d ever want to go back to work. In fact, I was pretty convinced I’d just stay in my sweatpants, eating Thai food, and watching Love Island forever 🌴. But, I came back from maternity leave three months early… and it wasn’t because I ran out of baby wipes. 🍼 The reason? The Silverfort environment is genuinely supportive and welcoming -- and most crucially for a first time mom -- flexible. Returning from maternity leave can be daunting and challenged me in a way I hadn't been challenged before. Not only did coming back part-time allow me to ease into the transition, it let me feel like I was coming back on my own terms. The support from my colleagues and leadership made this process so much smoother, and I’ve felt empowered to contribute in a way that works for me and my family. Who says you can't have it all? 💪 (shoutout to Revital Aronis, Ron Rasin, Liat Gavrieli Shwartz) If you want to work at a place that places a premium on balancing work and home life -- and I say this as my 9 month year old tries to bite my laptop 😅 --you should check out some of our awesome career opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/e5zNT8mx #Grateful #WorkLifeBalance #SupportiveWorkplace #MaternityLeave #CompanyCulture #hiring