Chirpa’s life @GBG
So, you’ve been working in India?
That’s right. Thanks to our Work Where and When You Want approach as a business, I was working in the small town of Mayiladuthurai, Southern India, for two months – five and a half hours ahead of where I usually work in the UK.
I needed to be closer to family. My 85-year-old mother, who lives in Mayiladuthurai, has seen her Parkinson’s worsen after contracting Covid and needs full-time care. Being able to look after my mother halfway across the world, without giving up my work, is something I never imagined possible. At this point in her life, what matters most to her is spending time together with me. It was a unique and unforgettable experience – a memory I will cherish forever.
That’s amazing, how was it?
Well, having an office space set up next door to a 1000-year-old temple, working and hearing the trumpeting of a temple elephant, had to be one of the most memorable experiences.
By starting work at midday and finishing at night, I was able to align my working hours with my team in the UK. And with excellent broadband facilities, the working experience was very similar even if the scenery was very different! I was able to balance both work and family and continue to do voluntary work for a local orphanage for special needs and disabled children which I have been supporting over the past 20 years.
None of this would have been possible without our flexible approach to work and the trust my line manager has in me. I am immensely grateful.
“Being able to look after my mother halfway across the world, without giving up my work, is something I never imagined possible.”
And creating a great work experience is part of your job?
That’s right. I’m leading the Be Your Best programme in our Technology and Operations teams – it’s one of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on in my time at GBG.
The idea is to create a healthy, thriving culture that supports collaboration, innovation and professional development in a digital-first workplace. We know operational success rests on recruitment and retention, employee engagement, increased productivity, innovation, and most importantly, having happier and healthier team members. Our vision is to be the best and most engaged team. Put simply, we want to help our people to be the BEST they can be!
“Our vision is to be the best and most engaged team. Put simply, we want to help our people to be the BEST they can be!”
What do you love about life at GBG?
Definitely our people and culture of collaboration. I love the fact that GBG recognises talent and provides opportunities for team members to explore new skills and grow their careers. It has allowed me to innovate and develop new ideas and strategies to achieve success and optimal operational performance.
Now I am back from India, I continue to enjoy the flexibility and variety of our approach to work. Sometimes I travel to the office and enjoy social interaction with the team, while at other times I can choose to work from the comfort of my own study. Having the choice to Work Where and When You Want is empowering and being trusted to deliver feels great.