Both Sides of the Desk. One boss. One employee. Talk work culture.

Host Charlie Charlton is caught between CEO Louise (Lou) Doyle, and Marketing Manager Sally Forsyth of Mesma. They deliver UK-wide quality assurance technology and consultancy to the education and employability sectors.

When it comes to recruitment and retention, they feel there's one looming issue that needs raising: 'parentcare'. With an ageing population comes the impact  of recruiting and retaining men and women who juggle jobs with caring for elderly relatives. This opens up a challenging conversation about flexibility, security and the risk of burnout. 

Lou is co-founder of Mesma with Carole Loader and have a female-dominated workforce. As an SME, Lou’s used her experience in the corporate world to implement a four-day week policy; hybrid and remote working; flexible work hours; maintaining an apprentice-first recruitment strategy.

Sally's energy and drive is obvious. She wants to dive into creatively satisfying projects at work but feels the frustration of not being able to 'have it all'. Sally balances her job with huge responsibilities at home, caring for family young and old. 

The line between work and home is now so blurred, so what can a business do to support, keep and get the best out of talented people? Find out with Charlie, Lou and Sally.

CREDITS:

• In conversation: Louise (Lou) Doyle, Co-founder and CEO of Mesma, and Sally Forsyth, Marketing Manager of Mesma
• Producer/Presenter/Editor: Charlie Charlton
• Camera/Director: Chris Taylor
• Camera/Editor: Jordan McDonald
• Sound Producer: Andy Bell, Blast Studios
• Social Producer: Natalie Eminae, OCOCO Media
• Exec Producers: Newcastle Helix Partnership + John Seager

In collaboration with Di Gates, Connection Heroes
Filmed on location in The Lumen Building, Newcastle Helix
Big thanks to the whole community of the Helix Innovation District in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.

See Charlie Charlton and her guests in action: https://www.youtube.com/@newcastlehelix2403

FURTHER READING:

• https://www.bps.org.uk/research-digest/women-bear-brunt-unpaid-labour-and-it-may-be-affecting-their-mental-health
• https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/reports/four-day-week/
• https://www.software.com/reports/future-of-work
• https://www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice

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