Parenthood at Work

Being a parent and working full-time? It's not easy. But it's possible! We hear from David Hernandez, Clinical Trial Manager at ICON in Mexico, who juggles both roles and shares his personal story. Dive into David's experience combining parenthood and work - the struggles, the wins, and the surprising ways both worlds can actually benefit from each other.

Combining parenthood and work is a constant balancing act because demands and expectations come at you both ways (or every way for that matter) so it can be exhausting and really difficult to actually organize, prioritize and, eventually, complete our daily activities all around. Our children and our work both deserve and need our attention, however, working in a company that actually values you, sees you as a human being and creates a SPACE for you to connect with other caregivers like you makes THE difference. 

My experience with parenthood at work has very recently changed since I’m currently living the “two under two” life with a toddler and a baby making our lives a whole different story every day, however, ICON has always facilitated and supported me in being able to actually be a present father figure for both of my children and I’m forever grateful for being able to fully live and enjoy my parenthood while also being able to work doing a job that I love in a company that I love just as much.

One thing that I really appreciate and has been a game changer is being part of one of ICON’s groups called SPACE, which stands for Supporting Parents and Caregivers Everywhere, and is literally a safe space where I have been able to meet other caregivers, including parents of course, who are going through or have gone through the same stages I am living at the moment. In one of our most recent calls, someone shared their experience about having to give some tough love every once in a while, and I found that experience truly inspiring, these short moments of sharing, venting and laughing with other parents is, honestly, revitalizing.

The working flexibility has been another game changer for me, of course there are important meetings that I must attend to (and have done so in many cases with my children in the picture, literally), but the flexibility to actually manage my own time to complete my activities and deliver has made all the difference to let me take care of my children while taking care of my work (or vice versa). 

I for sure finish every day exhausted but also feeling happy and fulfilled knowing that I am able to be a complete father but also a complete employee and that there are other parents in my company, that I can connect with, who are also sharing this experience.

To learn more about SPACE and other Employee Resource Groups at ICON, visit our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging page today.