Göteborg/Falun
New job and new parenthood, how does it work? Colleagues Björn Vestling and Britta Rosengren have been combining a new job, parental leave and working on the same project at ForestX.
In January 2024, Björn Vestling started his new job at ForestX headquarters in Gothenburg. Early in the recruitment process, he told his new employer that it was time to go on parental leave with his second child already the following summer.
Around the same time in Falun, Britta Rosengren was in the middle of parental leave with her first child. But instead of preparing to return to her previous employer, she started thinking about a question she had been asked about joining ForestX.
– I thought I had done what I could at my previous workplace. I wanted a new role and a new challenge, says Britta.
Forestry in Sweden is no bigger than that both Björn and Britta have previously worked with several of ForestX’s employees. They have both always known the company and had contact with several employees and old colleagues.
Britta joined ForestX two months before it was time for Björn to go on parental leave.
– We worked in parallel on the project. We had our own responsibilities, so I could finish what I had started, says Björn. Then everything gradually passed to Britta. So it was an easy transition.
Britta is also satisfied with the start at ForestX.
– It was very nice to work alongside Björn for so long. It was a completely new role for me, so I got a good platform in the project. Then I could take over, says Britta.
The role was also new in the way that Britta wanted.
– At ForestX, I get to use my forestry side much more than before. I have been challenged in that area, while I can contribute with my knowledge of, for example, implementation and structure from my previous assignments.
Joining ForestX also had other advantages for Britta.
– I’ve worked for larger companies before, and that is in a way safe. But I had to work a lot to try to influence and get through, even something small. At ForestX, I can express what I think to someone who actually has the mandate and opportunity to make a decision. I appreciate the flat organization.
When Britta started working, it was time for her husband to take parental leave.
– It was great. I was able to focus 100 percent on work and the new assignment, he had full control at home. I had six months to familiarize myself with the project and get comfortable in my role. Now I know everyone and feel safe. It’s nice now that our daughter has started preschool. There’s been some time off due to coughs and colds, and new routines need to settle in.
Björn’s parental leave is now over. He will be back at work in early 2025. But things didn’t quite work out as planned.
– I went on parental leave in July. In October, our five-year-old broke his leg and was plastered from groin to toes. He was in a wheelchair and couldn’t use his leg for several weeks. We could only stay at home. So it was a bit different from what we had planned. But since December he is fully recovered and it was full speed ahead again.
The CoSy project with Sydved will continue into 2025, so Björn will be back to work just in time to see the project finish.
– Now I’m looking forward to using my brain. At home with the kids the times for eating and sleeping control everything. Even though parental leave is very cozy, it will be nice to be able to talk to adults and eat in peace and quiet.
– It will also be fun to see how the project with Holmen develops. It’s so big and so much has to work out. Of course, it will also be fun to meet colleagues and move to the new office in Gothenburg.
Björn’s advice to parents in their careers:
Don’t be afraid to change jobs just because you have children. Priorities in life change, but you shouldn’t limit yourself too much.
Britta’s advice to career parents:
For me, changing jobs during parental leave was a good time. Other times, decisions like this have been more difficult for me, but now I had a new perspective. It would take energy to return to my old job, so why not use that energy to develop myself more now that I had the opportunity?
Fact boxes:
Name: Björn Vestling
Title: Business developer
Favorite tree: Difficult choice. But it has to be mountain birch (even if you hate it when they stand too close when you ski). It’s tough and can withstand most things it encounters. It also grows in beautiful places.
Best nature experience: When my partner proposed to me in a tent in Vistasdalen.
Most used app: Arc Search. Browser with very smart search functions and summaries.
Three bookmarks in my browser: SVT news, forum bygga hus, yr.no
Name: Britta Rosengren
Title: Business developer
Favorite tree: Ornäs birch! I have always felt a certain affinity with the birch, probably because of my surname as unmarried, Björklund.
Best nature experience: Top 1 is probably the Tiger Safari in India’s Kanha National Park. But a coffee at the viewpoint Ärtknubben, 3 miles from home, is not wrong either (Fun fact – “Björngrottan” in the new Ronja Rövardotter series is set there)
Most used app: Instagram, Pictures, Camera (I have an almost 2 year old daughter who, unfortunately, loves to look at pictures…)
Three bookmarks in my browser: Only use bookmarks for work and there are currently the tools: Loop, Azure DevOps, Lucid
