Supporting fathers in — and out of the office
The experience of Fatherhood is so diverse and rich, reflecting the unique bonds we share with our fathers. Fatherhood takes many forms — whether a biological parent, stepfather, mentor, or another guiding figure, each brings their blend of love, strength, and dedication.
In celebrating Fatherhood, we honor its different expressions and the joy it brings. We spoke with a group of fathers on our European and Indian Talent Acquisition teams. These narratives showcase the diverse and enriching paths to parenthood within our community.
Ollie Hayes — Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition, EMEA
What’s the best and most challenging parts of being a father?
You've got to remember to manage your expectations — they won’t act like adults and you need to champion them, not get frustrated. Which is easier said than done. Our job as fathers is to make sure your kids are happy, healthy and supported in whatever they want to do
What's your favorite dad memory?
My dad once took me to work with him for the day, it was great to see what he did, how his team admired him and to spend the day together.
Are there special songs you would sing or play to your little ones?
Anything rock — Foo Fighters, ACDC, Led Zeppelin, Metallica — trying to get them educated properly!
“I’m grateful to work for a company that values flexibility when it comes to things like sports days, school runs and plays. I never miss anything — and my leadership has never once made me feel guilty for showing up as a parent for my family.”
Baptiste Bouchet — Senior Talent Partner, Talent Acquisition, EMEA
What’s the best and most challenging parts of being a father?
The best part is to see and help your children try to understand the world, while the hardest part (so far!) is to let them go out into that world!
What advice would you give your children?
I’d stress that they not rush things, and try to be good people, and do great things.
What's your favorite dad memory?
We’d ride on his motorbike, when I was 11 or 12, to all the handball games I played. I’ll always remember that fondly.
What's the best advice your dad gave you?
To try not to spend it all in one place!
Julien Chevalier — Manager, Talent Acquisition, EMEA
What's the best and most challenging part of being a father?
The best is to watch your kids grow, learn and find happiness, while the hardest is the stress to be present and to make sure they’re doing just that.
When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Tennis Champion of course!
What are the best parts of your current job?
The flexibility Adobe provides parents to make an impact at work and at home.
Mukhtar Ghaffar — Talent Partner, Talent Acquisition, EMEA
What's the best and most challenging part of being a father?
The best part is seeing him grow and develop into a little man, expressing his personality and confidence, with the hardest part being the unofficial sparring partner all day long.
What advice would you give to new parents?
To pay attention and make time to be fully present with them and always have fun. They grow up quickly!
“The flexibility and work life balance that Adobe provides, as well as the autonomy in your day to day – its priceless.”
In what ways are you like your father?
I’m quite different — he came from a different generation and upbringing, but I share his penchant for firmness and family values.
What's the best advice your dad gave you?
“Dont be afraid anything — I’ve got your back son”
Raghavendra Abishek Rao - Senior Talent Partner, Talent Acquisition, India
What's the best and most challenging part of being a father?
When I became a father, I had many emotions. It’s beautiful but also nearly unbelievable. Initially, you’re soft with your child. Then, as your child grows, you see them being mischievous, crawling all over the place, keeping you on your toes, so you try to learn but continue to make some mistakes. It’s all a learning journey.
What’s your parenting style as a father?
I want to offer my child the same support and backing I received. I want to go that extra mile with them and ensure they receive the same support and backing at every stage of life, and I hope they carry it forward.
“The only thing I wouldn’t support is my child supporting a football club other than Manchester United. Until then, he has all the love, support, and guidance he wants from me!”
What are the best parts of your current role?
I receive tremendous support and agility from my team and Adobe. It helps me get my work done when I am in the office. Very rarely do I take work home. The line between work and home never gets blurred, and the balance that my job offers is nothing short of a blessing.
Thanks to Adobe’s parental leave, I not only got to be completely involved in taking care of my child but also in supporting my wife in every way possible. That time helped me learn, bond with my kid, support my wife, and help her in her recovery journey.
How are you like your own father?
My dad and I can accept any curveballs that life throws at us. My dad was the sole breadwinner. He cared for his parents, did his work honestly, and lived his life with great integrity, and in many ways, I want to live up to that ideal. I still want to take care of my parents, want them to be with me, and look after them just like my dad did.
Charlie Hide — Senior Talent Partner, Talent Acquisition, EMEA
What's the best and most challenging part of being a father?
Having two sons is like having two best buddies, we have so much fun together and lots of laughs. The boys split their week between their mum, and my wife and I — I can’t wait for the days when I collect them, it’s always the highlight of my week!
The hardest part for me personally is that I don’t see them for a chunk of time each week and that can be really tough. Also, as I believe is common with divorced dads, it can lead to a sense of guilt and so I put pressure on myself to make up for that.
What advice would you give to your children?
Be yourself as much as you can, that way you’ll become close to the right people and have more authentic friendships. That friendships are about quality and not quantity which is not always an easy message in a world where social media is so dominant. And stick to your values, don’t compromise yourself to impress others.
What are the best parts of the current job?
A big part of my role is making sure that people have a great experience throughout their interactions with Adobe and that’s very rewarding. It also gives me the opportunity to meet people every day from all sorts of backgrounds and walks of life.
“Adobe has a very genuine commitment to wellbeing which manifests itself in benefits such as our wellbeing reimbursement benefits and global wellbeing days off, but also in that we’re encouraged to take time out in the day to unwind, take a walk, exercise, whatever allows us to refresh and be our best — for our jobs and at home. It sounds like a small thing, but it makes a big difference.”
What's your favorite memory of your dad?
Just hanging out — I remember very fondly being taken to the pub and sitting outside, dad with a beer and me with a lemonade, sharing a bowl of chips. Then when I was older, he’d take me to our local Indian restaurant, the Polash, which no doubt kick-started my love of curries!
More ways Adobe supports families
Utilizing parental leave has a slew of benefits beyond improved health and development for parent and offspring alike. It’s also great for the employer! Robust parental leave policies increase employee recruitment, loyalty, and retention which strengthens the Adobe brand. In addition to competitive parental leave, we offer back up care, generous time off, adoption and surrogacy reimbursement, comprehensive health care and various perks to support employees and their families. If you are interested in learning more, please visit benefits.adobe.com.
https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2023/09/26/adobe-for-all-days-2023-lets-belong-together
https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2023/09/06/from-intern-professional-top-benefits-internship-program