In conversation with Rachael Mclean-Anderson
Q.1 - Introduce yourself.
I’m Rachael Mclean-Anderson, 42 - Mum of two and we live in Surrey with my husband and my cat Mei.
Q.2 - What is your job title?
Line Producer/Production Executive at Doc Hearts
Q.3 - Who looks after the kids when you are working?
Both children are now in school and that bit older which is infinitely easier than babies and toddlers. Our current set up is that my husband has a job that allows him to work from home (IT industry not TV!!) so he drops the girls at school (one now walks herself) and picks them up and takes them to various clubs after school. On the days I’m at home - I do this or we share it depending on who has zooms etc.
We live on the same road as the school which was very much a conscious decision to make our lives easier so the school run only takes 10 mins! During the school holidays, we try and take a week off where we can or the girls do holiday clubs (this has become slightly more tricky as they get older and they get opinions on what they want to do!) Also my amazing mum friends help me out with childcare, sometimes grandparents too. Basically, it’s not one set pattern. It’s a big juggle!
Q.4 - How long did you take off work after having your baby?
The full year with daughter number 1 because I was working for Comic Relief in their film team and they had a great maternity package. I wanted to go back part time but that didn’t work out and I couldn’t find a part time job in TV for love nor money so, disheartened and after a ton of interviews I switched into branded content contracts for a while where I could work more flexibly and work from home. This wasn’t easy and I had a lot of late nights working in naps and after the children go to bed!!
Second time round I had nine months as I was so conscious that I didn’t want to lose all my contacts!! For a few years I thought my branded work was ‘off piste’ but now I realise it’s a huge asset to my cv in these changing times for content.
Q.5 - Would you say that you have a good work/life balance?
Umm I’m working on that !! It’s certainly busy. But I just think at this time of our lives that’s what it is! My team are great and we live and die by WhatsApp. It helps that Doc Hearts founder/MD Andy Mundy-Castle is a hands-on dad too and does his fair share of the childcare so he understands and works flexibly too. We do quite a lot of messaging around 10/11pm when the kids are all in bed and we have head space!
I am very open with my team about how it is to be a parent and work in TV and take the view that I’m preparing all of them for the future if they decide to become parents. I think it’s all our duty to show the realities of being a working parent. Also, I really do try and put my money where my mouth is in terms of recruiting working mums, At Doc Hearts we have flexible editors, and job shares hybrid working. I very much go by the mantra that if you treat people well they will do their best for you and I see this time and time again in terms of efficiency and effectiveness of hiring parents.
Q.6 - Are you job-sharing or working flexibly?
Three days a week in the office and two from home but at Doc Hearts we do try and be as flexible as possible so if I need to go to parents’ evenings, dance concerts, dentist appointments etc I can swap days in the office and work in the evenings to catch up.
Q.7 - What do you think is the hardest part of being a working/industry parent?
Absolutely and without question the juggle. We are expected to be always on and that is seriously challenging when you have children to consider. The amount of conversations I have had with parent friends with ‘normal’ jobs where they don’t understand that you can’t just clock off at 5 and leave the work until the next day. I often have teams shooting around the world so I need to check in on them and consider their welfare and make sure h&s protocols are in place when plans change. It’s sometimes hard to switch off or switch into mum mode. I’m working on it!
Q. 8 - What are your tips for any women out there wanting to have kids and keep a career in film?
Consider all the things that will make your life easier when having children. A supportive partner is the most important (!!) but also using very local to you schools and nurseries, which means your children’s friends are also very near, move close to family if that is an option, try and foster a network of parents where you can all help each other. Online grocery shopping, a cleaner if you can afford it!! It’s tough!
Q.9 - Any advice for anyone about to return to work after maternity?
Don’t berate yourself if things (you) don’t feel the same and that you think you can’t work at the same pace as before and stay in the office until late. Try not to feel any guilt. Just keep edging forward one foot in front of the other. Our careers are marathons and not sprints and who cares if someone gets there before you - you will have your time and motherhood brings you so much extra wisdom that you can apply to your work. Also if you can’t make it all work that’s okay too - it’s okay to change career or do something different. You haven’t failed! It’s the system not you!
Q.10 - What advice did you wish someone had given you?
That things don’t stay the same. Don’t be worried about tomorrow because you never know how things are going to work out. There were times after I had my babies that I thought my tv career was completely over and now I’m a BAFTA winner and working with such amazing people in work that truly feeds my soul - I feel so lucky!