A Letter Of Gratitude To My Employer

I recently came back to work after my final pregnancy. While I was on leave, I wrote a letter of gratitude to my employer. As I reflected on World Mental Health Day and how that relates to my parental leave, I wanted everyone to see the impact that company benefits have on the lives and mental wellbeing of the people who work there. 

Dear Employer, 

It’s crucial you understand the impact your decisions as a leader have on the lives of your employees. Before I tell you all the ways we got this right, allow me to share my previous experiences as a mother in the workforce. It’s important you know the past because, as you will see below, without your care I wouldn’t be able to care for those around me.

Nearly 5 years ago, eighteen months after my first son was born, I woke up in a pool of my blood. I passed out and fell to the ground, cutting my right eyebrow open. My body gave out on me after being so burnt out from working while trying to care for my baby and not having enough financial stability to afford full-time care. 

A year after that, once my six weeks of unpaid leave with my daughter was up, I thought she would forget I was her mom. I cried every day dropping her off at daycare. I have a picture of her hugging her teacher because she spent so much time with her that she didn’t want to leave when I would pick her up. 

When I was finally making the salary I deserved in a job, my son kept asking me why I couldn’t pick him up early from school. I had hoped for a job that had flexibility for me to be a mom first and not just an employee with dependents. I wanted the chance to make an impact and have my ideas heard. I had the big office but I heard my direct reports being mistreated every day. I was gifted lavish experiences yet when I asked to leave early and pick up work later I was guilt-tripped. My insights were heard but rarely listened to. 

I took a sabbatical at the end of 2021 because I couldn’t take another job without getting clear on what I wanted out of a career. The failures of the previous companies weren’t just on them, it was in part my responsibility to be sure of what success looked like for me and my family. I couldn’t go another year upsetting my kids. 

This time around, I finally got it right.

Over the past 14 weeks, I got to be with my baby. I’m so used to operating with so much stress when coming back to work with a newborn that I had to keep reminding myself my only real to-do list item for the day is to care for my newborn. 

When the big kids were struggling with the change that this new family member brought, I got to pick them up from school and take them on a date without worrying about how much gas costs or whether or not we could afford ice cream that day. 

I get to support my husband as he returns to work and not be worried about us both trying to transition back to our jobs at the same time. 

I get to be a thought leader. I am on a leadership team that facilitates groups to explore ways to create healthy communities in my city.  I serve moms each month with resources, meals, and time spent with them. 

What you have given me is the opportunity to be my best at work, at home, and in my community. But it all starts at work. When I am supported, when I'm making a fair wage, when my ideas are heard, when I have the flexibility to be a human first, all the other pieces of my life get to flourish. The way you lead with care is not often done well or even at all in the workplace.  Please keep these stories as reminders that the hard work you pour out for us is very much seen, felt, and worth it to keep investing in. I am thrilled to grow with you and continue to make your company the best place to work. Thank you.

Sincerely, 

Ariel