Eva’s fresh start at LICHT: ‘I’m a better mum at home’
There are moments that really strike a chord with you. For Stefanie Kollen, owner of LICHT, that moment came at a Brainport voor Elkaar event. On stage were women who had returned to work through the Sterk aan het Werk programme. One of them said: ‘I can make plans again now.’ That sentence stayed with her. Stefanie drove home with just one thought in mind. ‘We’re just going to do this.’
LICHT recruits and seconds marketing and communications professionals based in Eindhoven. The company now employs over fifty people, all guided by the same three core values: fiercely ambitious, infectiously energetic and personally committed. That’s what defines the company, says Stefanie. ‘There are other agencies that do what we do. But it’s how we do it that makes the difference. Everyone who works here embodies that too. Otherwise, you simply wouldn’t fit in here.’
You can also see that commitment in how LICHT views the region. Every year, the agency organises a Pro Bono Communications Day, during which it deploys a large group of communications professionals to support community organisations. They are also involved in the Financieel Fit programme, which helps people in the Brainport region with financial concerns. In addition, LICHT has been involved with Brainport voor Elkaar right from the start. Maaike Sebastiana–van den Broek, Back Office Professional at LICHT, recognised that social ethos straight away when she joined four years ago: ‘I’d never experienced this with an employer before. It was a whole new world opening up to me.’
An evening that set something in motion
Through a working group run by Brainport voor Elkaar, LICHT became involved with the Driessen Foundation and the ‘Sterk aan het Werk’ programme. This programme supports single mothers on benefits in finding permanent employment, focusing on the person behind the CV. On that particular evening, participants shared their own stories, and it was precisely that which struck a chord with Stefanie. ‘Particularly what it had meant for the people who’d been through it. That someone said: “I can make plans again now.” I just wanted to be part of that.’
Eva Murk had tried several times before to return to the labour market. As a single mother, she always asked for some flexibility. Employers were willing to offer this in principle, but in practice it always fell through. ‘They’d look at my CV and had already made up their minds before they’d actually met me.’ Through the Driessen Foundation and her job coach, she plucked up the courage to try again. This time, things started differently. The first meeting with the job coach wasn’t about work at all, but about her. ‘They asked: “Who are you and what do you need?” That gave me the confidence that they would really find a place for me.’
When Eva first walked through the doors at LICHT, she knew straight away. ‘I saw all these powerful women. I felt free to be myself. I didn’t have to hide anything.’ Irma Hoeks, who heads up LICHT’s HR department and became Eva’s immediate colleague, based her initial assessment on who Eva is and her confidence in the programme run by the Driessen Foundation. ‘We just clicked straight away. I thought: she’ll fit right in with us. And the flexibility that Eva needs – that’s what we offer her.’
The induction programme
Eva started with a two-month trial placement and now works three days a week as an HR assistant. Irma is honest about what this has required of her. ‘I’ve worked on my own for years. So when you suddenly have to explain to someone else how you do things, it really brings home the reality of the situation. Sometimes I have to take a step back and think: is this actually the logical way to do it? That’s a benefit, for me just as much as for Eva.’
As well as Irma’s professional guidance, Eva was also assigned a mentor. That role was filled by Maaike, who had previously completed a mentoring course through the UWV. She now uses what she learnt there on a daily basis. ‘They’re simply tools for working well together. Not just with Eva, but with other colleagues too.’ Every week there’s a check-in, both about work and how things are going. ‘And it really is a two-way thing,’ says Maaike with a laugh. ‘Eva asks just as often how I’m getting on.’
In addition, Eva receives coaching from Fleur at Sterk aan het Werk. ‘Fleur helps me put things into perspective. Whereas I often still want to do too much too quickly, she says: take the time to find out what you want. Otherwise, it’s easy for others to pile things onto your plate. Here, that’s done out of enthusiasm, but sometimes it’s just a bit too much. I’m getting better and better at maintaining that balance.’
‘At home, I’m a mum now’
Eva notices the biggest change not just at work, but actually at home. ‘I feel more fulfilled. I worry less. At home, I’m a proper mum now. I’m playing games with my daughter again; I’ve got more space in my head.’ She laughs: ‘You’d think I’d be more tired now that I’m working. But I actually have more energy. I’ve got something to say again.’
What does Stefanie consider most important? Finding a sustainable solution that works for everyone. ‘It sometimes takes a bit more time and attention, but ultimately the match benefits all parties.’ And that match is there. Maaike: ‘It’s actually that simple. Eva is qualified, committed and brings a breath of fresh air. And then you start to wonder: why are there still so many women like her sitting at home?’ Stefanie adds: ‘We’ve simply gained a fully-fledged colleague.’
This addition has also sparked something within the team. Irma has structured her HR work well and runs the department single-handedly; she finds it valuable to keep looking at it with a fresh perspective. Eva’s arrival has brought new insights and a great dynamic. And Maaike has learnt skills that she now puts to use for the whole team. The colleagues at LICHT have gained a sense of involvement, pride and the feeling of being part of something that really matters. Stefanie: ‘I think it’s wonderful that the team is also benefiting from this. We’re all learning from it together.’
Connecting through Brainport for Each Other
Stefanie has a clear message for employers who are unsure. ‘Think carefully about how you organise it. Make sure your team is on board, and then just go for it.’ Because it only works if there’s broad support for it. Eva has also noticed this from her previous experiences. ‘At LICHT in particular, everyone was on the same page right from the start. I’d never felt that way before. That meant I could be myself here straight away.’
Brainport voor Elkaar played a quiet but essential role in this. Simply by facilitating the meeting between the Driessen Foundation and LICHT. Stefanie: ‘You just bump into each other in that network. If you’re open to it, opportunities come your way. And then you can really get to work on it.’
