A fantastic female leader offered me a role that I have accepted and am enjoying every day.

I had been off sick for 11 months, had three surgeries on my arms and hands, and was feeling very down, unsure if I could get my career back on track. I was offered voluntary redundancy, which could be a fresh start, but equally could be the end of my current career.

I decided to lean back and stay with HP because I wanted to prove to myself and my colleagues that I could still add value. I didn't want to leave, staying was the right option for me.

I reached out to my work network, reminded them of my skills and experience, but also found the courage to share my limitations due to my health issues. A fantastic female leader offered me a role that I have accepted and am enjoying every day. I believe this leader leaned in—she took a risk on me.

That decision began a series of positive changes in my professional and personal life; I have moved houses, returned to university part time to study Law and I now look forward to each day, knowing I am in a role that is completely different to my pre-sickness job, yet uses my skills, enables me to learn and grow and I feel trusted and empowered again.