We're delighted to welcome back our HR & Administration Manager Joanne Fairchild who has returned to the 4 Site Security team after enjoying some time away on parental leave with her new son. We caught up with Joanne to hear about her return, the challenges, and what she missed most about being away from the 4 Site Security family:

Q How does it feel to be back?
A “It’s a strange feeling because you feel like a new starter but one who already knows everyone.”

Q What did you most miss while you were away?
A "Our team is a very close one and so I missed them very much, as well as carrying out my HR role, which I love! Once I got back to work, I realised how much I had missed interacting with other adults. It’s great to be back talking to my colleagues about work and having a quick catch up in the kitchen as you wait for the kettle to boil!”

Q What is the nicest or most challenging part of being back?
A "The nicest thing is definitely being back working with my colleagues. The most challenging is trying to get back up to speed with things and trying to remember everything. There have been a few changes, such as new software, to get up to speed with. But you can forget even some of the most basic things while you’re off work, like how to type!"

Q What will a typical day at work look like now?
A "It’s similar to when I went on parental leave in that HR is always busy, but returning to work part time means that there is slightly more planning now to prioritise and fit in all the tasks. I work very closely with Grace, our Payroll and HR Administrator. We carry out the HR tasks between us and have regular catch ups. I enjoy the fact that we have the opportunity to work more closely together now."

Q What advice would you give to parents planning and preparing to return to work?
A “If you can do a Keep In Touch day or two, before returning, it will help. Don’t put yourself under pressure to come back and know everything and remember everything straight away. It takes time. Get yourself a nice big notebook to write down and remember things. Communicate with your colleagues and managers and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Be kind to yourself, and give yourself time to adjust.”