Life doesn’t always fit neatly into 9 to 5. Especially when you’re juggling multiple roles, studying for a new qualification and preparing for the arrival of a lively puppy (to add to my already excitable retriever)!

At the heart of my week is my role as Team Enabler at PeopleUnboxed.

It’s a position I love… supporting and organising the team, getting stuck into projects, planning team events, solving problems and helping to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. But that’s just one part of my life.

I also work as a nanny and recently started an apprenticeship in Project Management (with full support from the PeopleUnboxed team!).

It’s safe to say no two days are ever the same. And without genuine flexible working, it simply wouldn’t be possible to do it all – let alone do it well.

People often assume flexible working just means working from home. But for me, it’s about far more than that. At PeopleUnboxed, it’s about being trusted to work in a way that suits me, my energy and the realities of my day-to-day life.

Here’s what that looks like in action:

Remote working.

Of course this is part of flexibility. I come into the office about two days a week, which I really enjoy, it’s lovely to catch up with some of the team face-to-face. But being able to work from home around that is something I’ll never take for granted. It gives me the headspace to focus, the quiet to recharge and makes switching between roles far more manageable.

Autonomy.

Being trusted to manage my own time is a complete transformation for me. Whether I need to fit in a doctor’s appointment, study session, vet visit or just shift my hours slightly to work around the flow of my day, that freedom makes everything feel more balanced. It means I can be fully present in whatever role I’m in, without constantly feeling pulled in all directions.

Mental & social load.

I’m naturally a bit of a homebody, and having space to decompress in my own environment actually helps me show up better when I do need to be sociable. I’ve noticed I have more energy, more patience and feel more like myself, because I’m not constantly ‘on’. For me, flexible working gives space for both solitude and connection.

Output over hours.

Flexible working also means being trusted to focus on what you achieve, not when or where you do it. It’s not about being online from 9 to 5, it’s about outcomes. That shift in mindset gives people space to work when they’re at their best, which leads to better results and happier teams.

Compressed or reduced hours.

Flexible working includes part-time roles, compressed weeks or non-traditional hours. Which is exactly what suits me… being able to work part-time at PeopleUnboxed is what makes my whole lifestyle possible. It acknowledges that full-time availability doesn’t always mean full potential.

Open communication and clear boundaries.

Flexibility only works when there’s strong, honest communication. Having the space to say “I need a bit of quiet time” or “I’m focusing on detailed work today” (and having that respected) is a powerful part of flexible working. It also means being encouraged to log off at the end of the day and maintain healthy boundaries.

Space for development.

True flexibility includes time and encouragement to grow. Studying, learning something new, or developing professionally alongside your main role is work too. When employers actively support that (like PeopleUnboxed are doing with my apprenticeship) it shows real commitment to long-term growth, not just your current role.

Human-first mindset.

Perhaps most importantly, flexibility is about seeing people as a whole person, not just employees. It means recognising that everyone’s juggling something and creating a culture that’s not just acknowledged, it’s embraced.

At PeopleUnboxed, flexible working isn’t a perk. It’s a reflection of trust and respect, not just for what you do, but for who you are. And for me, that trust has opened doors.

This year, with PeopleUnboxed’s encouragement, I started an apprenticeship in Project Management. It’s something I’ve been quietly thinking about for a while. I’ve loved my years as a nanny, but I knew it wouldn’t be forever. When I joined the PeopleUnboxed team, I hoped it might be a stepping stone to something new. What I didn’t expect was just how supported I’d feel to take that next step.

The team here has believed in me, given me the confidence to grow, and made space for me to stretch into something new – without losing who I am.

The apprenticeship is already helping me gain hands-on experience, build an industry-recognised qualification, and start shaping the next chapter of my career… all while continuing to do the job I love as Team Enabler.

Flexible working made that possible. But more importantly, the PeopleUnboxed culture made that possible.

So no, it’s not just about working from home. It’s about working in a way that works for you. That adapts, flexes and supports the real people behind the job titles.

And that, for me, makes all the difference.

If you want to chat further then please reach out via LinkedIn or email.