Elsevier named a “Best Place to Work for Working Daughters” (and sons)

When her mom fell and broke her hip last year, Susan Ikeda wasn’t ready.

“I had been looking into finding her at-home care just the day before,” recalled Susan, a Senior Editorial Project Manager based in Elsevier’s San Diego, California, office:

I scrambled — the hospital was next, then skilled nursing, and then … I wasn’t sure. I had so much to do, and I wasn’t sure where to go or who to ask. I called my manager, dreading having to tell her I wouldn’t be as present as usual because I had to see my mom everyday (she had dementia and skipping a day was really hard for her). 

Maria Aguilar’s son was just 2 when he was diagnosed with autism.

“I found the news scary, mostly due to my lack of knowledge on the topic,” recalled Maria, Associate Director of Customer Insights, based in London.

Then she would have to tell her manager. Fortunately, their conversation put her at ease.

My manager at the time made me feel completely at ease disclosing my personal situation, and was very encouraging of my need to process the news and take some time away from the office. That support has continued as we have had to adapt to a new life full of therapists coming to our home to help him with his speech and motor skills, as well as medical appointments. 

As a single dad, Richard Nicklin S’ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre knows what it means to balance career and caregiving. As a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager based in the UK, he says he’s fortunate to work for a company he’s proud of:

As a single parent, the time spent with my son is of paramount importance, but equally is doing a job that makes a real difference. I’m super-proud to tell my 7-year-old that the work Elsevier does is helping to cure the world’s diseases.

Elsevier allows me to work flexible hours that help me to enjoy family life to its fullest. I’m genuinely so proud to be working for an organization that isn’t all about profit but more about making employees truly experience work-life balance while they help do the work that makes the world a better place.

Caring for a spouse and parent

Richard Davies, an Operations Director for Digital Transformation based in Oxford, said he’s grateful for the support he received when he found himself caring for his elderly mother as well as his wife, who had cancer:

In both situations, the flexibility and emotional care given by everyone I was working with — and especially my manager at the time — were exemplary. As well as understanding and flexibility by my management, my colleagues stepped in to help progress projects when I was unable to, knowing that in a similar situation I would do the same for them.

Richard’s mother has passed on, and his wife has since recovered. But the culture of caring continues at work:

It’s that sense of mutual support and trust, as well as a caring environment, that makes Elsevier such a great place to work.

“I had resources and support for things I didn’t know I’d need.”

For Susan Ikeda, the support she received allowed her to spend time with her mother in her final days.

Knowing I could leave in the middle of the day to sign papers to get my mom into hospice care was wonderful. Being with my mom when she moved from skilled nursing to memory care was comforting. Knowing I could leave at any time to do what had to be done before and after her death freed me from guilt.

My team at Elsevier went the extra mile. They sent me a care package to let me know they were supporting me. The larger group sent an e-card. I had resources and support for things I didn’t know I’d need — all I had to do was ask.

I’m grateful for the people and the company of Elsevier for allowing me time with my mom. I was able to focus on her and her needs. 

Of course, anyone who has cared for a loved one knows that the challenges continue after their death — logistical challenges as well as the lingering grief that comes with the passing of a loved one. As Susan recalled:

When she passed away, I was able to take time off to clean and sell her house and take care of all the stuff surrounding a change like that. It’s been almost a year and I still feel the support.

This is something we all go through and having the support of the company — a place where I spend most of my time — has helped me with the transition of life.