International Day of Families is an opportunity to reflect on the many ways family life shapes us all, both at home and at work. At the NIAO, we know that behind every colleague is a personal story, and today we’re sharing one of those stories. In this blog, our colleague Andrea reflects on her journey to parenthood, and how understanding and flexibility at work helped her and her wife navigate both the challenges and the joys along the way.
"When my wife and I were going through IVF treatment, my manager was extremely supportive. I was able to attend all the necessary appointments throughout the treatment cycles, during our failed cycle, during our early pregnancy loss, and then again during the successful pregnancy that led to the birth of our son, Louis, in March 2023.
I was able to make use of Shared Parental Leave through NIAO. Our circumstances meant I could take two weeks of parental leave immediately after Louis was born, and then a further eight weeks later on. Although the process of understanding entitlements can be tricky, HR were fantastic at guiding me through it and helping get everything in place.
Taking Shared Parental Leave was one of the best decisions I made. It gave me the chance to bond deeply with Louis in his earliest months—something I might otherwise have missed. It allowed me to be involved from the very start, not just as support for my wife but as an equal parent. Sharing responsibilities like feeding, changing, and comforting Louis helped me build real confidence in my parenting skills. It also made a huge difference to our relationship as a couple, helping us face the challenges of new parenthood together.
Professionally, it showed me that taking time off to focus on family doesn't mean losing your commitment to your work. In fact, it gave me a fresh appreciation for work-life balance and made me feel even more connected to my role here."
Andrea Quinn
