Embracing flexibility

Throughout this week we’ll be sharing stories from around the business to highlight our inclusion campaign - Altogether Different.

Royal Mail Trailblazing apprentice, Stacey Firn, works part-time as an account manager. She is also a member of our Parents & Carers steering group.

‘Like most parents I have a pretty busy lifestyle,’ said Stacey. ‘I live with my fiancé who runs a family plumbing and heating business and our two beautiful daughters, Kacey, who is seven and Isla, who is four, along with our two dogs, Jasmine and Gizmo.

‘My journey with Royal Mail began when I was 19 as a temp. Initially it was to work and earn money to go travelling, however, 16 years on and I’m still exploring new opportunities within the business.

‘I have been fortunate enough to have worked in many different roles in media and sales working full and part-time within admin and management. Being inquisitive with an appetite to learn has allowed me to develop further skills, and I’m lucky in that, the business has invested in training and supporting me through various leadership courses.

‘However, when I returned from maternity with intentions of being able to work flexible hours my experience of the business changed and I didn’t feel that the right level of support was there for me. I’ll admit that the process of requesting flexible hours wasn’t an easy one and one which I had to fight for to find something suitable to adapt to my new lifestyle caring for young children. I didn’t want to give up on the amount of time I had committed to the business and had to prove that I was capable of carrying out my role within the hours I was able to commit to, something I did successfully.

‘I currently work part-time as an account manager in Oxford where I have been for the last three years. My role involves daily communication with customers to support them in growing their business through fulfilment and media opportunities.

‘After winning Account Manager of the Year I became a part of the first Royal Mail Trailblazing apprentice scheme studying for a three-year B2B Sales degree. I am a year into studying and the experience and skills I am learning are invaluable. I’m able to do this as the business supports me with 20% time allocated towards studying. Being able to study from home allows me to get my assignments completed without this eating into my valuable family time.

‘Working flexible hours enables me to manage my home and work-life balance, allowing me to pick my girls up from school every day and be involved in important events like sports day. I’m now in a good place with the right work-life balance where I have a supportive team around me, which allows me to be more focused at work. Without having the flexible working hours, I don’t feel I would have achieved what I have.

’In short, I am a parent, I am an employee, and I am part-time, but regardless of this, I am successful in what I do because of my ability to do so.’

Watch our video below to hear more on what it feels like to be included.

Parents & Carers

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Many of our people balance parental and caring responsibilities with their career. Our Parents & Carers steering group advocates for carers and offers support to those who need it.

We aim to help colleagues with caring responsibilities balance these duties with their day-to-day working life. We can help direct you to where you can obtain support with formal flexible working requests and approvals as well as advice on the types of flexible working available.

Please visit the steering group homepage to read more about the work the group is doing, and access a range of resources available to support you if you are caring for others.

If you would like to share your story, learn more or get involved, please contact us at parents.and.carers@royalmail.com.