Jie Li’s Journey: Embracing Pregnancy at MAC&CO

Jie has been a key member of the MacDonald&Co team since August 2023. We’re so excited for her to become a mum in this new stage of her life, and for yet another MAC&CO baby to join the ranks!

Our team is our greatest asset, and we strongly believe that a supportive workplace enhances productivity. We are a workplace that goes against the grain – one in every two Australian mothers have experienced pregnancy-related discrimination according to the Australian Human Rights Commission. This is an issue that we are actively trying to combat.

We spoke to Jie a few weeks before she heads off on maternity leave to catch up on her past nine months being pregnant and working here at MAC&CO.

How have you found the experience of being pregnant whilst working as a Contract Administrator at MAC&CO?

At first, I was really nervous, as I didn’t know how my body would change or how I would feel and how that would impact my work. Would I feel really tired? Would I be able to concentrate in the same way? I was anxious of all the possibilities – but it’s been completely fine!

I’ve really enjoyed working throughout my pregnancy, largely because I am working on a really interesting project, and I love the work that I am doing. But also, it has been so enjoyable because of how supportive everyone has been.

Is there anything that you’ve found slightly more difficult?

I am finding it difficult not being able to go to site more regularly, as this is an easy way to build relationships with the subcontractors.

But together with the team, we’ve been able to navigate me not going to site by engaging more over the phone and arranging Teams calls wherever needed. Plus, as the Site Manager and Project Manager are on site more than I am they feedback to me, and I can then get everything I need to get done from the office!

How has MAC&CO supported you throughout your pregnancy?

It’s been so easy to attend all the appointments that I need to as my manager has been very accommodating and flexible to these. I just let them know that I will need to leave work earlier or have a work from home day to save time travelling around, meaning I can work more efficiently.

In the beginning of my pregnancy, I was super emotional and cried at work (hormones are likely to blame for this!). Chris, my direct report and Senior Project Manager, was so supportive and understanding, he listened to my worries and together we came up with some solutions to propose to Richard (Managing Director) which we then collaboratively started to implement.

I felt like I had been really unprofessional by crying, especially in this industry as it is more male-dominated, but my colleagues really showed me that we’re all a team, and having a few other mums in the office really helped too – their words of wisdom have been so encouraging throughout my pregnancy.

What are you most excited for when the baby comes?

After I am recovered after the birth, I am really excited to get back to my gym to go rock climbing. Before I was pregnant, I used to go four times a week and I really miss it.

My parents will be staying here for a few months to help me with the recovery and looking after the baby – so I am also really looking forward to eating my mum’s cooking again. Her food is delicious.

And when the time is right, I’m excited to come back to work – I love keeping busy, so the thought of not working is a bit daunting. By the time I get back from maternity leave my current project will be finished so I am eager to see what my next one will be and what my future at MAC&CO will look like as a new mum!

From us all at MAC&CO, we wish you all the best Jie and we can’t wait to meet the beautiful babe in question when she arrives!