With fourteen years’ service, Gurpreet has built a wonderful and illustrious career in People and Culture. After taking maternity leave for a year, she is now back again to tell her story.
How did you get into a career in HR?
I initially started my career in HR within the retail industry, where I had the opportunity to develop a strong foundation in HR knowledge and practices specific to that sector. While I found the work fulfilling, I was eager to broaden my HR experience and take on a broader, generalist role which Trinity was able to offer.
What is your role and what does your day-to-day look like?
I’m the People & Culture Projects and Data Manager in the People & Culture team. I'm the go-to person for all data related queries, responsible for generating management information as well as being a BambooHR and LinkedIn Learning expert. My role extends beyond data management, as I am involved in various projects. Currently, I’m focused on establishing a framework to enhance the maternity leave experience, develop a fertility support initiative and overseeing the implementation of MyDevelopment, Trinity’s new Performance Development Review (PDR) process.
You’ve dedicated your whole career to being at Trinity. What are the reasons that you’ve stayed so long with us?
Trinity’s onward growth journey presents new challenges and opportunities which I have enjoyed being part of as well as a team that continues to make meaningful impact. Also, from a career perspective, since joining Trinity I have been fortunate to have been appointed to five distinct positions with the People & Culture team. These transitions together with my professional development opportunities has allowed me to achieve my Association title with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and the Projects Fundamentals Qualification with the Association for Project Management (APM).
You’ve recently became a mother in 2022. Congratulations! How do you now balance work alongside being a first-time mother?
First and foremost, I had a really supportive manager that was understanding of my transition into motherhood and allowed me to start back to work with a part time working arrangement which made a world of difference. It has helped me adjust gradually and adapt to my new responsibilities as a working parent. This coupled with working remotely has meant that I don’t have the pressure of travelling to and from work so I can do any pick ups and drop offs for childcare with ease. I’m also fortunate I have good childcare arrangements in place which means that I can focus on work without any distractions.
Can you tell us about the support that you’ve received from Trinity during your maternity leave?
I agreed with my manager before I went on maternity leave to keep in touch with me by email so I was kept up to date on any important updates at Trinty or within my team, invited to join team meetings and most importantly to plan my return to work supported my smooth transition back to working life.
Why do you think it is important that organisations provide a space for parent-returners at work to thrive?
The transition to working life after taking a period of maternity leave can be really daunting experience. I believe organisations benefit significantly from providing a supportive space for parent-returners as this approach fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment, promoting a healthy culture. By accommodating the needs of parent-returners, organisations tap into a valuable talent pool, retaining skilled professionals and encouraging loyalty. Moreover, supporting work-life balance for parents enhances overall employee well-being and job satisfaction which in my experience contributes to increased productivity.
What is the best part about working for Trinity?
There’s a couple! Working alongside talented individuals from whom I learned significantly throughout my time at Trinity has been key in my professional development. Alongside this, working with like-minded colleagues in the People & Culture team who are committed to making a positive impact on the employee journey at Trinity aligns with my own values. Trinity’s consistent growth provides exciting opportunities for personal and professional development, making it an ideal environment for me to contribute meaningfully to both the Trinity’s success and my own career journey.
“Working alongside talented individuals from whom I learned significantly throughout my time at Trinity has been key in my professional development.”