On this International Women's Day, we celebrate the remarkable contributions of women everywhere, especially in industries where their presence has historically been underrepresented. At Icon Metal, we acknowledge the invaluable role women play in our organisation and the broader construction sector.
In a field where only 12% of workers are female nationwide, we recognise the importance of highlighting the achievements of women within our industry. Balancing the demands of personal and professional life is a universal challenge. At Icon Metal, we are committed to supporting our employees at every stage of their journey – whether it's navigating motherhood, pursuing higher education, managing mental health, or simply navigating the complexities of life.
To shed light on the experiences of the women at Icon Metal, we interview with four remarkable women. Their stories are a testament to resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence. From breaking stereotypes to overcoming obstacles, their journeys inspire us all.
This International Women's Day, we celebrate all the women. Your hard work, passion, and dedication make the world a better place. As we celebrate your achievements today, let us also renew our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive.
Happy International Women's Day to all the incredible women who continue to shape our world. Thank you for being who you are.
Ana | People, Culture and Compliance Manager
How do you prioritise tasks and manage your time effectively between work and personal commitments?
Balancing the demands of being a new mom while also managing my responsibilities as a manager definitely keeps life interesting. Prioritising tasks and managing my time effectively requires careful planning and flexibility. As a mom of a 16-month-old baby boy, my personal commitments naturally take precedence, but I also understand the importance of fulfilling my professional responsibilities.
To navigate this delicate balance, I prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance, considering both work and personal commitments. I often rely on to-do lists and scheduling tools to stay organised and ensure that critical tasks are addressed in a timely manner. However, I also understand the need to be adaptable, as unexpected situations arise both at home and in the workplace.
Being a new mom has taught me the value of delegation and seeking support when needed. I'm not afraid to ask for assistance from my amazing team or friends to lighten the load and ensure that both areas of my life receive the attention they deserve. Additionally, I strive to maintain open communication with my colleagues and loved ones, keeping them informed of my availability and any potential challenges I may be facing. At the end of the day, it's all about finding that sweet spot between mom life and work life. And while it's not always easy, it's definitely worth it.
What strategies do you use to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
Finding balance after my baby was born was a real challenge. Newborns come with a whole set of needs that demand your attention around the clock, making it tough to find time for anything else. And when I finally did return to work after maternity leave, adjusting to being a mom and a manager was a whole new ball game. It took time to find my rhythm and figure out how to juggle both worlds without feeling like I was constantly dropping the ball.
One thing I've learned along the way is the importance of mental health, especially as a mom balancing work and personal life. It's easy to get overwhelmed and burnt out trying to do it all, so I've had to prioritise self-care and set boundaries to protect my well-being.
Finding balance between work and personal life has been an ongoing journey. I've had to learn to accept that sometimes things don't go according to plan, and that's okay. If I don't deliver something at work exactly when it was scheduled, it's not the end of the world. Learning to let go of perfectionism and embrace flexibility has been key in finding harmony between my roles as a mom and a professional.
Rae | Financial Accountant
How do you prioritise tasks and manage your time effectively between work and personal commitments?
Schedules! Even at a community level AFL is a huge time commitment, with games weekly, training twice weekly and the odd volunteering shift to keep the club running. I also try to fit in a surf once or twice I week, and strength and conditioning on top of that. I schedule everything and meal plan. It helps me know what time I need to leave the office to make it to my other commitments on time. I also schedule my work tasks in terms of priority and communicate with my team regularly about our progress.
What boundaries do you set between your professional and personal life to ensure neither one takes over completely?
I plan a schedule for each week (exercise, meditation, CPD hours, chores), and journal what I have done each day. Then I am able to reflect back on what I intended and wanted to do, and what I actually did. This helps me to then make rational decisions and choose between activities, so I don’t feel like I’m making sacrifices
Beth | Business Development Manager
How does your workplace support flexibility in terms of scheduling and remote work options?
Flexibility is critical as a mum of four school age kids. I work 4 days per week, 2 from home, and 2 from the office, and the days aren’t set in stone, letting me work around the kids’ schedules which change on a weekly basis: swimming carnivals, basketball tournaments, cross-country … it’s pretty common to see parents at events like these tapping away on laptops between races!
The thing I value most about flexible working is the ability pop out for a quick assembly here, or a forgotten lunchbox there, without losing the momentum of my working day. It also makes me appreciate the opportunity to share ideas with co-workers when I am in the office, and have face-to-face meetings.
How do you recharge and take care of your well-being outside of work hours?
One of the biggest challenges for women my age (I’m 47) is taking time to care for themselves, between family and work commitments. About a year ago I felt like I was losing my mind, and my body started to change in unpredictable ways that were terrifying to me. Perimenopause left me feeling like an imposter at work.
I was lucky enough to receive help from my (wonderful, empathetic) GP and my (patient, understanding) CEO that has allowed me to reach a place where I can function normally, albeit propped up by medication and post-it notes. Many women aren’t so lucky, and suffer quietly, because it’s a taboo subject in lots of workplaces, particularly male-dominated ones like construction.
For me, exercising regularly really helps – boxing (good for emotional release) and yoga (good for everything), as does talking to other women going through the same things. We are all around you, and boy, do we love to talk about it! My advice for women reading this: know the early signs and seek help before you get to the point where you feel like you’re losing your mind. Understand what options are available. Unfortunately, outdated ideas around this topic still persist, so don’t give up until you have the answers you need.
Sofia | People, Culture and Compliance Assistant
What boundaries do you set between your professional and personal life to ensure neither one takes over completely?
Creating a balance between my professional and personal life has been really important. When I started at Icon Metal as an office administrator, I got really interested in compliance. So, I decided to dive into a Compliance certificate, which meant going back to full-time study after years. It was tough at first, but with the support of my partner and work, I managed to make it work.
To keep things from getting out of hand, I've set up some boundaries. Being organised and consistent has been a game changer, to balance work, study, and social life. Having a solid support system around is also crucial to me.
It's all about communication too. Making sure everyone knows where I'm at and what I need has been key. By taking care of myself and managing my time wisely, I'm able to keep things in check and make sure neither work nor study takes over completely.
Top L-R: Ana and Rae
Bottom L-R: Beth and Sofia
We acknowledge the Darug people as the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work.
We respect and recognise their spiritual connection and knowledge of these lands, waters and communities.
We pay respects to their cultures and Elders past, present and emerging.
