Lendlease Introduces Returners Guide to support Work-Life Balance

We are family

At Lendlease, we recognise the importance of being able to balance work and family life. We also understand that taking family leave can be a big change for everyone involved. To make the transition as smooth as possible, Lendlease has introduced the Returners Guide – an online booklet giving step-by-step information through the process, for anyone thinking of taking family leave or managing someone who is.

Jenny Sawyer, Senior Development Manager at Lendlease, knows what it’s like to be a working parent of two children. She shared her experiences here:

I’VE WORKED AT LENDLEASE FOR…
23 years, in a range of different roles and on numerous projects. I also had the amazing opportunity to work in Malaysia and Singapore for two years. Since returning from maternity leave just over a year ago I’ve been working on MP4 where we have just submitted a planning application for the next phase at Elephant Park.  

A TYPICAL WORK DAY FOR ME…
Involves getting to the office at 7.30. I start work early so I can leave just after 4pm to collect my children from school and nursery before they shut at 6pm.

OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, I HAVE NOTICED…
That as a company, Lendlease has become more and more committed to improving the wellbeing of its employees. Even between having my first child, five years ago, and my second two years ago, there has been a dramatic shift towards supporting a positive work-life balance. People in the business have moved from rhetoric to providing a really supportive environment to allow people to work at their best.

This means that we can all be open about how we work flexibly, without any fear of recrimination. In fact, when I am open about my flexible work schedule, people actively support it. Colleagues do not arrange meetings after four o’clock if they want me there because they know that I have to leave.

WHAT MAKES ME SMILE IS...
My family, but also my friends who are working mums. Having this network of women trying to juggle school pickups, work and homework is so encouraging and helps me realise that I can do it as well.

Read more from Jenny on working flexibly here.

At Lendlease, we have enhanced parental leave, which means that our employees can take six months at full pay, irrespective of gender.