Hey Tanja
You currently work 60% at Adnovum as a requirements engineer, have two sons (aged 5 and 6 ½), and love crocheting. After studying computer science at ETH Zurich, your journey at Adnovum began in 2011 as an intern in software development. You've been a permanent employee since 2013. So Adnovum has been your only employer so far!
How did you hear about Adnovum and why did you choose Adnovum back then?
A friend told me about Adnovum while I was studying at ETH. He had done an internship here himself and thought it would be something for me! And so I applied and quickly realized that it really was a good fit. I already knew back then that part-time work was possible here – and that was important to me.
12 years later, you are still working for Adnovum – with a one-year break for a trip through South America – and there is no end in sight. What do you like most about Adnovum?
The flexibility, the trust placed in me, and the working atmosphere. My colleagues are great and I really appreciate how we treat one another.
What sets Adnovum apart from other companies, especially with regard to working mothers?
I have no experience with other companies, but what I really appreciate about Adnovum is the acceptance. I never feel like I have to justify my part-time model. The team has my back and there are no accusations or prejudices. In many companies, this is not a given.
You currently work 60% as a requirements engineer. What does your typical workday look like?
I work three days a week. My husband and I take turns looking after the kids depending on their schedules. The actual workdays vary – usually they are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, or sometimes Thursday instead of Friday.
That sounds like a lot of logistics! How do you manage to balance your work and private life?
I keep the two relatively separate. When my kids aren't at home, I work remotely. Otherwise, I go to the office. On such days, I get up before my kids and take one of the earliest trains to work so I'm back home in time for dinner – despite my 45-minute commute.
How has Adnovum supported you in your career so far?
Adnovum has always given me the flexibility I needed to maintain a good work-life balance – especially in tough life situations. Last year, for example, I had a family emergency and was able to reduce my workload to 40% at short notice, with no indication of when I would increase it again. Adnovum granted me this request without question or hesitation, and the project and my career coach were very supportive.
That was extremely helpful, especially when I think of the many mothers I know who either work 100% or had to give up their job entirely because their employer wouldn't allow a smaller workload. Others had to fight tooth and nail just to reduce their workload to 80%. That was never an issue for me at Adnovum, and I am grateful for that.
That sounds really good! Is there anything that Adnovum can still improve on?
Communication and transparency could still be optimized. Decisions are communicated, but often there is no explanation why they were made. Adnovum tries to be transparent, but a better understanding of the background would be helpful.
Are there any projects or successes that you are particularly proud of?
One project I am proud of is the introduction of SAP ProTime Capture. At first, I was against it because booking for the part-time working model was very complicated. It was my personal success to get the week model implemented, which significantly improved and simplified the process.
Has the workplace at Adnovum changed in terms of equality since you've been here?
Projects like Women move IT have definitely increased my awareness of gender equality. When I started my career, I didn’t realize that, even today, women still often earn less than men. At Adnovum, salary bands and clearly defined rules help prevent inequalities. However, unconscious biases can still lead to an implicit gender gap. That’s why it is essential that we keep addressing the topic of equality and remain aware of underlying biases.
What about diversity in your team?
In my current project of 1.5 years, all the business analysts are female. There are also three women in the development team. In percentage terms, it may not be excessively high, but there are certainly more women here at Adnovum than in many other IT companies.
What is the biggest challenge for you as a woman in IT?
It's not so much the gender, but rather the part-time model that has been a hurdle for me. The biggest challenge is finding a balance – because when I do something, I want to do it well. Sometimes it's difficult to figure out how much energy I can invest in work and how much I can invest in my family without overexerting myself.
Do you have a role model that inspires you?
My colleague Anna Félix really impresses me – she manages to juggle her many responsibilities within the company while always remaining approachable and personable. In my private life, I owe a lot to my parents. Almost 40 years ago, they taught me about shared childcare by example and showed me that I could be a mother and still work and not have to choose between one or the other.
Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse into your world, dear Tanja! And that you took time for us.
