As a first-time father, the prospect of balancing my new role as a parent with my professional responsibilities was both exciting and daunting. However, the support and encouragement I received from my colleagues and the leadership team gave me the confidence to take paternity leave and prioritise this crucial time in my life. CGI's culture of promoting work-life balance made the decision to take leave an easy one.
A Supportive Environment
When I decided to apply for paternity leave, I was met with an overwhelming amount of support from my Resource Manager and Vice President. I really appreciated their encouragement, and the HR team was very helpful throughout the process. Despite the unique nature of my leave request, which involved a mix of different types of leave, the HR Consultants were accommodating and ensured a smooth approval process. I felt valued as both an employee and a new parent, and I was confident that my existing responsibilities would be well-managed during my absence.
A Seamless Experience
Initially, I was apprehensive about the paternity leave application process, thinking it would be lengthy and complicated. However, I couldn't have been more wrong. After discussing my wife's pregnancy and my desire to take time off with my Resource Manager, I found a wealth of resources on our intranet page, including the parental leave policy, which guided me through the process from start to finish. With advice from a CGI Partner, I reached out to HR directly to navigate my unique leave plan. The HR team promptly addressed my questions and provided a clear plan for submitting my leave application, which I completed successfully.
Focusing on Family
Once my paternity leave began, CGI allowed me to fully disconnect from work and focus on my new daughter. This time was invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunity to bond with my child without the distractions of work. As my return to work approached, my Resource Manager reached out to ensure a smooth transition back into my professional responsibilities.
Fostering Cultural Shifts
CGI has a fantastic history of supporting flexible arrangements to foster a great work-life balance for CGI Partners. By continuing to do this for fathers-to-be and celebrating both moms and dads loudly and proudly, CGI is an organisation that truly values family. Mentorship programmes, where fathers who have taken paternity leave share their experiences and encourage others, also contribute to a positive cultural shift. As both parents play crucial roles in early childhood development, policies like CGI's parental leave can lead to a more gender-balanced distribution of parental duties, ultimately promoting equality at home and in professional environments.
My experience with CGI's parental leave policy has been really positive, and I am grateful for the support I received throughout the process. By continuing to prioritise and improve these policies, CGI can set a powerful example for other organisations and contribute to long-lasting, positive changes in the workplace culture.
If you're interested in learning more about life at CGI and the opportunities we offer, I encourage you to explore the careers section of our website and see for yourself how CGI supports its employees and fosters a culture that values work-life balance and family.
