Ten years ago I never envisaged a time when I could work so flexibly.

Fifteen years ago I never envisaged a time when I would have children.

But strangely, today, both of those things are part of my life in a way that is extremely fulfilling.

I have two children – aged five and eight years old – and the youngest has just started her full time education. For the past eight years I have either been on maternity leave or working key time hours (either 3 or 4 days per week in various phases). I could have gone back full time from last month, but that was never really on my radar. Why? Because life is busy enough. I already feel like there aren’t enough hours in a week to get everything done; working, family time, a hundred kids’ activities, exercise, household chores, whatever it may be. We’re lucky enough to be in a position financially where I don’t need to return full time.

I started a new role as ‘UK Tech Engagement Lead’ in August which means I often have to travel or be involved in off-sites or events that I’ve helped to organise. These could fall on any day of the week so my old working pattern of a fixed day off seemed a little too rigid but also now completely unnecessary. In addition to this, I craved a flexibility in my working pattern that would allow me to sometimes work shorter days to have the advantage of picking the kids up from school. I spoke with my line manager and explained my situation and proposed the benefits of working completely flexibly; straight away he agreed and with immediate effect my time was effectively my own to manage. The rules are simple – I work my 28 hours per work as I see fit to best get the job done.

There are challenges of course but, so far, nothing I’ve been unable to overcome. For example, it can make home life a little more unpredictable, and my husband often bears the brunt of that! It can be difficult to juggle calendar availability from week to week when planning work meetings. It also sometimes feels a little strange logging off at 3pm when everyone is still working. But attitudes are changing. Our working lives are changing. Society is changing.

This agreement is not only hugely beneficial to me and my family but it’s beneficial to my team and HSBC as they get total flexibility in return. Additionally, my loyalty and motivation is sky high because I know I’m completely trusted. I recently had a colleague express concern that I sometimes send emails late at night but I assured her that late night email probably helped to enable me to pick the kids up later that week, or go for a slightly longer lunchtime run whilst the sun was shining. My work-life balance is thriving in a way I never thought possible until recently.

Just this week I spent my traditional ‘day off’ travelling to London to accompany the UK CIO in a meeting. Fast forward 24 hours and you’d find me spending the morning at my kids’ school enjoying cake at their Macmillan coffee morning and then observing one of their spelling lessons (kudos to all teachers – there is a job I could not do!). The experience of seeing them learning in their natural classroom environment was just priceless and I’m acutely aware that it’s a privilege that not many working parents are lucky enough to have.

Juggling work and home life can be hard at times but I truly believe that my organisation is better than most at making it easier for us. There are so many options for you to explore if you’re willing to find them and ask the question.