Working Mums - Bex Lewis (Part 2)

Starting a family is one of life’s greatest milestones and at Trade Assist, we’re proud to stand by our team members as they embark on this exciting journey.

In this second instalment of our "Working Mums" blog series, we’re shining the spotlight on Bex, one of our dedicated head office team members based in Christchurch. Since joining Trade Assist in 2018, Bex has risen through the ranks, showcasing her talent and dedication in roles such as Recruitment Resourcer, Senior Recruitment Resourcer and most recently, Training and Systems Coordinator. Now, she’s embracing her most fulfilling challenge yet – becoming a mum.

Towards the end of 2024, Bex began her maternity leave and since the interview, she has welcomed a precious baby boy. In this blog, we’ll delve into how Trade Assist supported Bex in the lead-up to her maternity leave and how she prepared herself for this new phase in life.

What initiatives or workplace practices at Trade Assist helped you feel confident and supported during your pregnancy?
During my pregnancy, I felt incredibly supported by the team at Trade Assist. There was a real focus on open communication, which made a huge difference. Chris and Lee were proactive in checking in with me, especially as this was a new chapter for me and relatively uncharted territory for the business too. Aside from Fi, we didn’t have many staff go on maternity leave. Knowing they were willing to adapt and learn along the way gave me confidence that I was in good hands. They made sure I was involved in assigning tasks to others to ensure a smooth handover, which showed they trusted and valued my input.

Another standout for me was the company’s willingness to have honest conversations about what maternity leave could look like, both for me and for future team members. While Trade Assist is still evolving in this area, the team’s commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive workplace for mums-to-be was clear. This reassured me that I wasn’t just stepping into the unknown alone; we were navigating it together as a team.

What steps have you taken to prepare for your maternity leave and how has Trade Assist supported you in making this transition smoother?
Preparing for maternity leave has been a mix of tying up loose ends and planning ahead. A lot of my work has been project-based, so I focused on wrapping up those initiatives and ensuring any ongoing weekly tasks were handed over to the right people. For example, I created a detailed plan outlining who should take over specific responsibilities and shared it with Chris and Lee, who then ensured those plans were executed. Knowing I’d left things in a good place helped me feel more at ease about stepping away.

We also talked about options like "Keeping In Touch Hours", which could help me stay updated on any big changes in the business while I’m away. Keeping In Touch Hours allows employees to work up to 64 paid hours during maternity leave. This doesn’t affect your full-paid parental leave entitlement and the hours could be used to take part in team meetings and training sessions. The flexibility and thoughtfulness in these discussions made it clear that my well-being and smooth return to work were priorities for the team.

What advice would you give to other mums-to-be about balancing a career and preparing for motherhood?
My biggest advice for other mums-to-be is to communicate openly with your employer and take ownership of your transition plan. No one knows your role or your needs better than you, so don’t be afraid to guide the process. At the same time, give yourself grace. Preparing for maternity leave can feel overwhelming but focusing on what’s realistic and trusting your team to handle things in your absence is key.

Do your research. Not many people are familiar with programmes like Keeping In Touch Hours. There’s plenty of information available on government websites, such as IRD and Employment NZ, so I suggest expecting mums to explore all their options. If your workplace isn’t already implementing these initiatives, consider starting a pathway for future team members.

I’d also say that it’s okay to embrace the unknown. Motherhood is a new chapter and it will likely teach you things about yourself that you hadn’t considered before. For me, balancing my career with preparing for motherhood has been a reminder that life is about more than work – though, like many working mums, I’m passionate about my job and see it as part of who I am. Finding that balance will look different for everyone, so trust your instincts and be kind to yourself.