THRIVING IN A FAMILY-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE

Stephanie's journey at RSM

Stephanie McAuliffe is one of RSM’s new Principals in Corporate Finance, based in their Perth office.  Her journey with RSM began in 2015, and since then, she has welcomed two beautiful daughters, Stevie in 2019 and Rory in 2023.

During her first maternity leave for Stevie, Stephanie took 10 months off to focus on creating a strong bond with her daughter and ensuring her well-being, with the unwavering support of her workplace. Currently on maternity leave for her second daughter, Rory, Stephanie plans to take a full year off this time.

RSM's Commitment to Family Wellness: Compassionate support and flexibility

The family-friendly culture at RSM played a pivotal role in Stephanie's overall job satisfaction, especially when facing the unique challenges presented by Stevie's medical condition.

Stevie required significant therapy, and without the flexibility offered by the company, Stephanie admits she wouldn't have been able to maintain her career or may have had to drastically reduce her working hours. The Flex@RSM policy and other family-friendly initiatives allowed her to manage Stevie's therapy sessions while maintaining her career aspirations without any compromise.

Reflecting on standout moments that made her feel particularly valued, Stephanie highlighted RSM's remarkable response to her need to work around Stevie's therapies. 

"RSM never hesitated to accommodate my needs, ensuring I could be there for my daughter without sacrificing my career progression."

The unwavering support and understanding from her colleagues and supervisors during these times made Stephanie feel valued and appreciated, reinforcing her commitment to RSM.

Promotions on Maternity Leave: RSM's Commitment to Equitable Career Progression

Moreover, Stephanie's journey saw two significant milestones: she was promoted to Senior Manager while on maternity leave with Stevie, and later to Principal while on maternity leave with Rory. These promotions during her time away from the office showcased RSM's recognition of her dedication and contributions, further reaffirming her value as both a professional and a loving mother.

"RSM has been incredibly supportive during my journey as a mother. The flexibility and understanding I received from my colleagues and supervisors have made all the difference. I never felt pressured to choose between my career and my family."

Dedicated resources and parental accommodations to support work-life balance

The pivotal support from RSM's parent and carer accommodations allowed Stephanie to ease back into her professional life with adjusted working hours. Working four days a week, with one day from home, Stephanie found her work-life balance improved significantly. With the support of her Buddy, Nadine Marke, and the resources available through Parents at Work, Stephanie was able to manage her parental responsibilities while remaining committed to her career goals. Stephanie also found immense value in using the wellness room available at her office. Being able to exclusively express milk for Stevie for 16 months allowed her to maintain her professional responsibilities while ensuring her daughter’s well-being.

Stephanie values the precious time she gets to spend with her children during their formative years. She offers this advice to future parents, 

“Take the full year off if you can as you only get this time with your kids once, and your career will be waiting for you when you get back. What is one year off over 40-ish years of working life?”

Stephanie is a shining example of how RSM's family-friendly initiatives can have a transformative impact on an employee's life. The combination of supportive policies, a caring work environment, and understanding colleagues has enabled Stephanie to thrive in both her personal and professional roles. As a result, she wholeheartedly recommends RSM to other new parents looking for a family-friendly workplace.