AXA Debunked: Suzi

Myth #326: You can’t work and be a carer  

Can you successfully juggle a career while being also being a dedicated carer? Suzi, a Risk Governance and Control Manager at AXA UK, proves it’s possible with the right help.

What do you do at AXA? 
I support AXA Commercial with risk management, including the embedding of the risk framework, process reviews and improvements and identifying, managing, monitoring and reporting on risk performance. 

What do you think are some of the common misconceptions around caring? 
There are so many. People think that if you’re caring for someone, they must be unable to do anything for themselves. There’s also the misconception that you have to give a consistent level of care all the time, not understanding that some days you may have a relatively easy routine and other days everything is complicated. People also think that’s it’s obvious if you’re a carer or not, but there isn’t a clear line between what is caring and what isn’t.  

How do you balance your caring responsibilities with your work at AXA? 
I’m very fortunate that I have an understanding manager and team.  Where possible, my day is built around what I know I need to do for my husband (medication, support, appointments, etc), what I need to do for work that day. I need to consider whether I need to be in the office, if I’m in meetings all day and how the rest of my week looks. I need to be organised and prioritise, but I also need to take time for myself so I don’t get overwhelmed.  It’s not easy and some days can feel like nothing is getting done. That’s when I reach out to my team or the Carers@AXA network for support, or I lace up my trainers and go for a run. The flexibility I have at AXA allows me to do this. 

Why is it important to support carers in the workplace? 
There are approximately 5.8 million unpaid carers in the UK, so it’s really important that support is provided. Caring can take a toll on your physical, mental and financial wellbeing, especially when you’re balancing work and care. You want to do your best for the person you’re caring for and the company you work for. Being a carer doesn’t remove the desire to succeed in work, and often the financial pressure is increased, especially if you become a sole earner. Carers are really valuable people to have in the workplace, so it’s important that they have the support they need — as a carer, you need to handle complex and stressful situations, which helps you to navigate similar situations in work. 

How important is it to have a network like the Carers@AXA Network?
It's so important to have a group of people that understand the dynamics of caring (even though every situation is different), who you can share the highs and lows with without feeling like you have to apologise.  It’s a network that aims to make AXA a great place for carers to work, but also support all those with caring responsibilities. 

Would you recommend a career at AXA? 
100%.  When I applied for the role at AXA I looked into their Carers Policy. At the time I was caring for both my husband and my father-in-law, so I needed to know that I was going to work for an employer that understands the complications that come with caring.  Since I’ve started, I’ve had nothing but support from my colleagues, managers and the Carers@AXA network.  Finding a company that can “walk the walk” is really important to me, and I know I have the support behind me to succeed. 

If you want to work somewhere where you'll get real, practical support to help you balance work and life, keep an eye on our latest vacancies to find a role that’s right for you. Or follow us on LinkedIn to find out more about life at AXA.