What is your morning ritual in the office?

I usually get to the office by 7.30am, unless I go to the gym before work. I'll read and reply to emails. I will also do a quick 10 minutes read of Straits Times Interactive before I start work.

If you weren't in HR, what would you be doing?

In university I wanted to be a child psychologist. But after working with abused children, I found it too emotionally draining. I then made a decision to switch to organisational psychology. Going into HR was a natural progression and I've never wanted to do anything else.

What is the most daring work decision you have made?

My most daring work decision was to quit my job and be a stay-at-home mum. It was something I had to do to resolve my dilemma as a working mother and I did it knowing that if I stayed away too long, I would derail my career progression.

But it turned out that I returned to work after four months. I missed the mental stimulation that came with the dealing of myriad with issues in the course of work.
       
What's your advice to mothers who want to return to work and How can they keep themselves relevant to the industry?

After my daughter was born, I had a nanny look after my daughter. I'd drop her off in the morning and pick her up in the evenings after work. Although I worked in a company that was family-friendly and had understanding bosses, I nevertheless felt guilty for leaving work on time everyday to pick up my daughter from the nanny. I very quickly found myself feeling guilty for not being at work when I was with her and I felt guilty for not being with her when I worked late.

I then decided that if I was going to feel guilty either way, then I'd rather feel guilty for not being at work.

In 2003, an opportunity presented itself for me to be a stay-at-home mum. At that time, I was very unhappy with my work, and more importantly, I was unhappy with myself in general. My daughter was going to start primary one in 2004 and I was having trouble looking for alternative care. Since I was so unhappy, my husband suggested that I take the opportunity to stop work and stay home. That way, I could take care of my daughter and if I decided to go back to work until a more permanent solution could be found.

In total I took four months off before I decided to go back to work. I missed the work environment especially the myriad of interactions in the workplace. During the first three months, I was looking into ways to supplement my income with the spare time that I had. By the fourth month, I accepted the fact that I was better suited to work rather than a stay-at-home mum.

In that time, I did a lot of soul searching and had a lot of time to think. I realised that I was unhappy with myself partly because I was living day to day, just home and work, work and home. Days just blurred into one and I didn't know who I was anymore. I realised that I had no ‘me' time. Between the daily work and managing the day-to-day family life, I had nothing else.

Now, as working mum, I am happier. I no longer struggle for an answer when children ask me why I have to work. I am a happier person, less angry, and they see it as well. I go to the gym twice a week, and I schedule dates with my friends.
 

Jacqueline Teo
Regional HR manager (operations)
Asia and Middle East
Acergy