Overseeing large projects is nothing new for a mother. Sometimes they are of the craft variety and involve a lot of glue. But for Rachel Watson her day involves overseeing the the finer, legal details of large renewable energy projects in her role as Executive Manager – Legal at Pacific Hydro. She’s had her share of craft projects too but as her sons are now 12 and 14, I think she can safely put the glue stick away. We chat to Rachel about her views on being a Working Mother.

What’s the one thing you wish your organisation/industry offered working mothers?

Pacific Hydro is great at providing tangible assistance (paid maternity leave, flexible working options, ability to purchase extra leave, gadgets that enable working from home, etc). The intangibles are harder within the marketplace in general and require commitment from the whole business, especially around the perception that providing working mothers with flexibility is singling them out for special treatment which is not available to others.

What’s the single most frustrating thing about being a working mother?

The guilt!

What changes have occurred in your workplace/industry (current or previous) to accommodate working mothers?

Thankfully, a lot has changed in the marketplace since I started working. In addition to the practical changes, which have allowed working mothers more flexibility, the biggest change (which is not universal) is that being a working mother does not necessarily put your career on hold.

If you could design your ideal role, what would it consist of?

I have worked part-time for the last 14 years. Having that ability to be able to commit to activities for my boys on my non-working days, as well as time to take a breath, has been the most important thing for me.