Returning from maternity leave
Welcoming Demi Back from Maternity Leave
I'm absolutely delighted to share that Demi Crewe has returned to our team following her maternity leave, and what a brilliant reminder this is of why supporting working parents in the travel industry matters so much.
Why Good People Matter in Travel Recruitment
Whilst Demi's been away welcoming her little one, it's become crystal clear just how much her expertise and approach mean to our day-to-day operations. Her knack for understanding both candidate needs and client requirements, combined with her genuine care for people's career journeys, has been sorely missed. It's a proper reminder that in our people-focused industry, investing in talent retention isn't just nice to have—it's essential.
Making the Return to Work Actually Work
Let's be honest, coming back to work after having a baby is no small feat. In recruitment, where things move quickly and client demands can be intense, we've made sure Demi's transition back is properly supported:
• Realistic expectations about getting back up to speed • Flexible working arrangements that actually work for new parents • Proper handover of what's happened whilst she's been away • Understanding that some days will be tougher than others
Why the Travel Industry Needs to Get This Right
Our sector has always been brilliant at adapting to change—just look at how we've navigated everything from volcanic ash to global pandemics. Supporting working parents should be no different. The travel industry thrives on experienced, passionate people who understand the complexities of our business. When we lose good people because we can't support them through life changes, we're shooting ourselves in the foot.
The best recruiters I know have been around the block, understand life's ups and downs, and can genuinely connect with both candidates and clients. That doesn't happen overnight, and it certainly doesn't happen if we don't retain our talented team members through the various stages of their lives.
What's Next for Our Team
Demi's return brings fresh energy and, dare I say it, even better organisational skills (comes with the territory of managing a newborn, doesn't it?). Her experience in understanding work-life balance will undoubtedly enhance how she supports candidates navigating their own career decisions in our industry.
A Word to Fellow Travel Industry Leaders If you're reading this and thinking about your own policies around parental leave and flexible working, here's my advice: get ahead of it. Our industry already faces challenges with talent retention—don't make it harder by not supporting your people when they need it most. The travel industry will always need brilliant people who are passionate about what they do. Sometimes that means adapting how we work to keep hold of them.
Welcome back, Demi—lovely to have you back where you belong!
How does your travel business support working parents? I'd love to hear what's working well in our industry.