Inside Arcus with Corinne Huggins

At Arcus, our HR team is crucial in aligning people strategies with business objectives, handling daily responsibilities and significant projects alike. Senior HR Business Partner Corinne Huggins shares her experiences, particularly during her pregnancy, showcasing Arcus’s commitment to supporting our staff both professionally and personally through major life events.

Additionally, I lead the HR Projects Team to develop and deliver people-related projects that enhance our HR services. These projects might include contributing to people-related information within new bid submissions, designing and launching new policies and procedures, or enhancing our colleague experience and engagement.

Reflecting on my own experience during pregnancy, I have felt incredibly supported by my team. Pregnancy brings many unexpected challenges, both physically and mentally, which are different for everyone.

Throughout my pregnancy I’ve felt that I can be open and honest with my team who have supported me both professionally and personally when I’ve needed it, but ultimately have let me make my own decisions on what I need to look after myself whilst still getting my job done.

The People Services team have been especially supportive, offering clear guidance on what to expect from my maternity leave in terms of timing and finances, which has greatly helped me plan. They’ve been readily available to answer any questions, making the whole process smoother and more reassuring.

I’ve also been included in discussions about my work cover, with my suggestions genuinely taken into account, so I’m confident I’ll continue to feel part of the team throughout my leave.

Arcus is proactive at seeking continuous improvements to our colleague support and processes. Therefore a personal reflection is that additional assistance in communicating my pregnancy and impending maternity leave would have been beneficial, especially considering my role involves a broad network of people. This may not be the case for all colleagues, and the communications should be tailored to the individual to account for sensitivities and their own privacy preferences.

I’m fortunate that my role allows the flexibility to adjust my schedule to manage pregnancy challenges, a luxury not all roles afford. This has led me to recommend that we guide managers on extending flexibility and support to expectant mothers, adapting to their unique needs during this important time.