In conversation with Chika Anisiobi

Chika Anisiobi

1.  Introduce yourself

My name is Chika and I have been working in film and TV production accounting for eighteen years. After more than seventeen years as a freelancer, I am now in-house at a Broadcaster.

2. What is your job title?

I am a Production Finance Manager in unscripted, documentary series and comedy programming.

3. Who looks after the kids when you are working?

We have been lucky enough to find a lovely nursery for my toddler daughter. She started at nursery 3 days a week when she turned one and now attends full time. We live far from family so without the nursery I could not make it work.

4. How long did you take off work after having your baby?

I took six months leave when I had my daughter. I was a freelancer at the time, so it required saving up in advance to be financially stable. Statutory maternity pay was appreciated but not close to being sufficient to cover the needs of a newborn baby and an unemployed parent. 

5. Would you say that you have a good work/life balance?

At present, I have a better work-life balance, but this is due to the pandemic forcing employers to accept the option of working from home. I probably work longer hours - because I no longer have the commute. But I am able to do nursery drop off and pickups and throw a load of washing in the machine in the middle of the day. I was employed during lockdown and this is my first in-house role so it will be interesting to see how the work-life balance develops when we return to offices.

6. What do you think is the hardest part of being in the media/film/TV industries and being a parent?   

Where to start about the hardest thing being a parent in this industry? The juggling? The guilt? The hard choices? The tiredness? The relentless toll on your physical and mental health? I know none of these are unique to our industry. I think for me, managing resentment has been one of the hardest challenges for me as a parent working in the industry. I was confident that I could continue to perform at a high level, with a few tweaks to the working day (i.e. leave "early" and catch up at home after doing bedtime; as well as working twice as hard and not having a lunch break during the working day). Having a child has not impaired my ability to do my job well. But prior to covid, many industry employers would not consider a different model of working. I felt resentment that I would not even be considered for certain roles because I now have a child. Then as a mom, I feel resentful that my child is the first one at the nursery and one of the last to be picked up because of the demands of my job. And as a partner, I sometimes feel resentful that my husband doesn't seem to share the burden of concerns for making it work and that it has no impact on his career, and society doesn't expect it to impact him and his job. Many people who ask about our childcare/work situation always ask me how I'm making it work. His employer's first response when he can't do a late night is - can't your wife do it?!

7. Are you job sharing or working flexibly?  

I am not job sharing or working flexibly. My employer stresses that each individual has freedom and responsibility in managing how they do their job but this is not flexible in the traditional sense.

8. What are your tips for any other women out there wanting to have kids and keep a career in film?

 When I was starting out, many moons ago, so many of the examples around me either had children and their careers stalled and/or they left the industry or they spent their entire salary on a nanny and never saw their children. Or they didn't have children and often their careers flourished. There were exceptions but I felt that if I wanted a family I may have to leave an industry that I love. Nowadays one thing we have in our favour is the skills shortage. So while I am hesitant to offer advice (we're all just doing the best we can, and that's ok), I would say that if you believe job sharing or flexibility is achievable in your role then insist upon it from potential employers. Present the solution as a fait a complet. If there is someone capable with whom you can share your role, present the option together. Double the talent for half the pay. Or can your role be done flexibly? Do you have to be in the office from dusk till dawn to show you are present and committed? Right now employers need you more than you need them and out of desperation, they will now make exceptions for great talent (and even for mediocre talent, it's that busy). And once you prove your ability, they will most likely take you on again and be open to hiring more flexible talent. If your job doesn't allow for it then maybe consider a move sideways to something more suitable (I'm sorry, but I don't know a way around that hurdle right now).  And if a better job comes up and you think you can do it in your new circumstances then go for it. At the very least you cannot be denied the opportunity just because someone has a mental block on how to achieve success in the role. And get comfortable with guilt. Feel it, touch it, wallow in it. Then put it in a box, in the corner of your mental attic. You don't have time for judging yourself or the judgement others make about your decisions.  Ignore the person who calls you a part-timer because you leave on the dot of 5 pm, or someone who criticizes you for spending all your salary on a nanny just so you can have a separate identity from being a parent. And that's not including the hard time you can give yourself. To paraphrase a TLC song from the 90's  - it's none of their business. But you will need to develop a thick skin to protect yourself mentally and preserve what is most important - your child and your family. Set an example by hiring other good people who work part-time and or flexibly. 

9. Do you have any advice for anyone returning to work after maternity leave?

I think finding a suitable job and the first day back were the hardest challenges after maternity. I set the minimum number of months I was determined to take off (six). I could not have done less for what I wanted my child and myself to experience in those first months. Even if that cost me money. But then I needed to work and I made a list of non-negotiables (ie being home for dinner and bathtime) as well as nice-to-haves. And I declined offers that would not give me that. I like to think I am good enough that I would never have waited too long but the truth is if I had had to wait 12 months to get a job maybe I would have waivered on my non-negotiables. My husband then left his job because his employer would not give him more than 2 weeks paternity leave. That gave him six months off with our daughter. And as a teacher, we felt it would be possible for him to get another job when he was ready, without too much difficulty.  And on that first day, I wept as soon as I left the house. And several more times. But it very quickly got easier - kindly colleagues (both those who did and didn't have children), the distractions of the job, and having good childcare in place all helped. And I liked my job!

9. What advice do you wish someone had given you?

Climb as high up the food chain as possible before starting a family - the more senior you are and the more experience you have and the bigger your network the more influence and options will be open to you. Life is messy - you want a career and a child - go for it. You don't - go for it. Ask for help and co-operation from colleagues and employers. All parties benefit. You may have to take a step back at times and that is ok. You may not have the bandwidth at times - and that is ok. Don't feel guilty. Compartmentalise so that when you are working you can do that, and when you are with your family you can do that. And sometimes children get sick and plans go out the window - and that's part of life too.