I write a wide range of company newsletters.
Whatever the subject, whatever the message, I always deliver a right good read.
To find out more about how I can write your winning newsletter contact me melissa@melissablamey.com
Did you know that Jeff Tremaine, Group Head of IT, once did a 3-legged race around Bristol city centre dressed as a schoolgirl? Well now you do. He also lives in Swindon with his partner and hoards of children and step-children (his words).
Whatever the subject, whatever the message, I always deliver a right good read.
To find out more about how I can write your winning newsletter contact me melissa@melissablamey.com
Here's a small sample of a quarterly in house magazine I wrote for a well known national company.
Did you know that Jeff Tremaine, Group Head of IT, once did a 3-legged race around Bristol city centre dressed as a schoolgirl? Well now you do. He also lives in Swindon with his partner and hoards of children and step-children (his words).
Here are some more essential Jeff facts:
Who was the first person you spoke to this morning? My partner, Sharon, who gets up with me just to make me a cup of coffee.
What was the last DVD you watched? In my occasional spare time, I’ve been trying to watch the boxed set of Life on Mars which was a Christmas present.
Do you have any allergies? Cats, rude people and dancing.
Apart from a house and car, what is the most expensive thing you have bought? My divorces.
What does breakfast usually comprise for you? Coffee, then maybe more coffee or juice as I drive to work.
What was your first pet? A tortoise called Tinker. He escaped to freedom after about five years never to be seen again.
Starter or pudding? I prefer savoury to sweet, so a starter every time.
Describe your ideal Sunday. Hopefully a lie-in to start with, if my girls don’t get me up. Maybe a leisurely breakfast with a Sunday paper and, as it’ll be a sunny day, off to the park to let the girls run off their energy.
Name three items currently in your fridge. Sea bass, lots of cheese and a bottle of champagne ready for a special occasion (e.g. it’s the weekend).
DIY or getting someone in to do it? Always DIY – I hate paying out for someone to do what I can do.
Complete this sentence: In moments of weakness I...quite like a Macdonald’s.
A Pregnant Pause
Tricky subjects are my forte.
Below is a piece I wrote outlining changes to a company's maternity leave policy, including case studies of three new parent's experiences. Two happy campers and one not so happy.
Naturally opinions can and do differ. It's all about striking a balance and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to air their view.
“Darling, I’m pregnant!” Rarely can three little words make such a difference to you, your partner’s life or your working life.
Legislation surrounding maternity leave is a complex business and HR has recently updated its maternity leave policy to include benefits such as 'keeping in touch days' and more time off for new dads.
As well as outlining the policy’s key changes, Melissa Blamey speaks to three new parents about their post baby back-to-work experiences.
Career Mummy
Louise Castor, Senior Environmental Engineer, joined [company name] four years ago. Louise began her maternity leave in October and following the birth of her baby, Alex, returned to work in June this year.
“My role involves visiting sites affected by contamination where there are potentially toxic compounds, so as soon as I found out I was pregnant I sought advice from HR and spoke to the Engineering Business Manager,” says Louise.
In Louise’s case, it was the first time in her manager’s 20 years experience that he had had to deal with a pregnant member of staff.
“He was actually very good and immediately arranged for a risk assessment to be carried out by a H&S representative,” says Louise.
Throughout her pregnancy and maternity leave Louise found HR’s open door policy helpful. As well as meeting with the Benefits and Payroll manager before finishing work, half way through her maternity leave, Louise arranged to meet with her department manager and HR to discuss what she was hoping for, and what Engineering were expecting from her, in terms of her return to work.
“It was good to know there was some flexibility and I have since come back on a part-time basis, working Monday through to Wednesday” says Louise.
Having experienced the transition from maternity leave to working mum, what advice does Louise have for other expectant mums in the company?
“Be proactive in finding out what your responsibilities and the company’s responsibilities are so that the boundaries are clear,” says Louise.
“It also really helped me to maintain an open and frank relationship with my managers and ensure that communication lines remained open throughout my pregnancy and maternity leave. This meant I didn’t feel out of touch with what was happening at work and the first day back much easier.”
And, honestly, how are finding work after an unsettled night's sleep?
“I now know that anyone who has a baby learns the art of multi-tasking and operating on minimal sleep. You just have to get on with it! I’ve really enjoyed coming back, even though I’m a mother, I’m still a professional Environmental Engineer.”
Dad of two
Peter Graham, Head of Facilities Management, has two children – Lucy, six, and Stanley who will be two in November. When Stanley was born, under current legislation, Peter took two weeks leave to be at home with his wife Julie.
“I was fortunate as the paternity legislation was in force which entitled new fathers to take two weeks paid leave. As Julie was on maternity, we worked out the best time was to be at home immediately after Stan’s birth so that Julie could rest,” says Peter.
Peter found [company name] supportive during and after Julie’s pregnancy although he feels there are some perceptions that employers in general need to address.
“These days a lot of dads take equal responsibility for the parenting of their children, especially as the majority of mums work too. Although I find it ok, I think that it is still quite difficult for dads to ask for time off to take their children to the dentist, pick them up from school etc."
“Also we were lucky as our babies weren’t poorly but I think all employers need to be mindful that children do get ill. This can be immensely hard for parents and employers should have a contingency. plan in place if it happens,” says Peter.
While we hope all pregnancies and the return to work runs smoothly, unfortunately, it is not always the case.
Isla Loudin took maternity leave in 2008 to have her baby Alice. Before Isla left her role in HR, an interim Advisor was appointed to carry out her duties while she was away.
Unfortunately after one month back at work, Isla’s daughter became seriously ill. “My priorities became clear and I felt I had no other option but to resign from role to be there for my daughter,” says Isla.
Thankfully Alice made a full recovery. However, in the first month before her daughter’s illness, Isla returned to work on a part-time basis working ten hours a week over two days.
Isla says that although she found it easy to return to the mind set of working, she felt an ‘understandable reluctance’ in some colleagues to hand over previous responsibilities and work projects to someone working part-time.
“In theory I was lucky to have a manager who was very open to me returning to work part-time. In practice however, I believe it would have been beneficial if more thought had been given to how my part-time working would affect the team and the business as whole,” says Isla.
“I think that for women to successfully return to work on a part-time basis, the implications of part-time working and responsibilities need to be discussed and agreed with everyone prior to returning to work.”
Now a full time stay-at-home mum, Isla says: “The change took some adjustment but now I wouldn’t be anywhere else and the rewards are fulfilling beyond belief.”
In response to Isla’s comments, Rachel Billston, Head of HR, said: ”Isla’s feedback was useful and we will be ensuring that we discuss with line managers the effects of part-time working arrangements on their colleagues and workload in the future.”
KIT Days
Another sticky issue for colleagues on maternity leave is how much, or how little, should they stay in contact with the office.
While some new mums say they enjoy the freedom of being left alone with their baby, others say they enjoy contact with work colleagues as it lets them know what is going on and will help make the return to work less daunting.
In line with new legislation, HR has introduced optional ‘keeping in touch days’ (KIT) for staff on maternity leave. KIT days enable staff to work up to 10 days without affecting maternity pay.
“KIT days are designed to give staff time to find out what has been going on at work and to catch up with any changes while they have been away before their formal return to work date” says Rachel.
If you would like to talk to someone about these or [the company’s] maternity policy, please contact your HR Advisor.
Bytes and Mortar
Technical writing needn't be difficult or dry. Below is an article taken from a technical newsletter I wrote about a new online training programme for building inspectors.
The introduction of the PDA revolutionised the way inspectors gather information on site. And over the years these handy devices have been transformed from the size of Del Trotter’s mobile, to the sleek, slim line version inspectors use today.
With such advances it was only a matter of time before training was targeted for a technological makeover, hence [the company] is paving the way for an innovative, challenging and entertaining e-learning resource in the form of the ‘virtual home.’
The interactive software is based around a three storey semi-detached traditionally built home. Starting with the excavation of the foundations through to the pre-handover stage, the first phase of the programme is designed to help inspectors familiarise themselves with construction standards and to enhance their ability to detect potential problems – all without even getting their boots dirty.
General Manager, Tim Merchant, says: “The programme will provide trainees with a number of challenging on-site scenarios which they must consider before deciding what course of action to take. It’s a complete departure for us in terms of training and we hope that the virtual home will achieve even greater consistency during our inspections.”
The project is in its early stage of development with the pre-handover final inspection expected towards the end of the year.
