Before I joined Paylocity, I did not take the time to address my mental health. Sometimes, it takes a defining experience to change your mindset and set you on a new course. I vividly remember the event that shifted my attitude toward mental wellness.
My Defining Moment
“Alan, we are going to make it through this,” my wife said as she held my hands after hearing I was affected by a company-wide layoff after being at the company for less than 72 hours. My thoughts raced. My wife and I spent our savings buying our beautiful home in northern Virginia. Would we have to sell the house? Were my parents right about not going into recruiting? Did I make the wrong decision to find a new job? My strong mental fortitude slowly shattered as each new thought passed my mind. My wife, who worked a graveyard shift, tried her hardest to console me but needed to rest for her upcoming late-night shift. I called on parents, siblings, and in-laws for support. They listened wholeheartedly, but no one could console the despair I was feeling. I knew I needed something more.
Facing my Mental Health
I knew I couldn’t navigate this new challenge by myself. I was feeling overwhelmed and lacked the coping skills needed. But the topic of mental health was a foreign concept for my family. My parents struggled to come to the United States with only the promise of a better life. The quote, “You have a roof over your head, food in your belly, and a place to rest your head,” was one we lived by. What else could I have wanted? To say the least, the idea of seeing a mental health professional was uncommon.
Taking those next steps was hard, but I knew my overall health would benefit. And I'm so grateful I did because, through therapy, I was able to stop and really analyze the professional environment I had created for myself. I realized that I had not stopped working since I was 14 years old. I allowed my occupation to replace my personal identity instead of adding to it. As the revelation hit, tears streamed down my face, a weight lifted off my chest, and a new blueprint for the future of my career began to take shape.
Diving In Again
After self-searching, I did not know if I wanted to go back into recruiting, let alone into the tech industry. I recalled childhood conversations about returning to a more “stable” industry, such as engineering, medicine, or law. I know I speak for first-generation college students when I say it was tough not to choose a safer career and risk it all to pursue an alternative non-cookie-cutter career. I had to center myself and remember I had to go back to early careers recruiting not for me but for those I would have the opportunity to help.
The aftershock of a layoff is indescribable. The desire to brush up on your resume, research a company, and fill out an application seems like a mountain – but this time, I wanted to avoid making the same mistake of joining an organization that did not value work-life balance. You would have thought I was a private detective when I started researching new companies. I delved beyond About Me pages, open role volumes, and general standings in the stock market. I dove into Glassdoor, Fishbowl, and another 3rd party website that provided employee-driven feedback.
Choosing a Company That Cares
Paylocity piqued my interest due to the stability of the stock market, the emphasis on employees, and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). I would be lying if I said that I was not a tad skeptical when I received an email inviting me to my first interview with Paylocity. I had two opposing thoughts ricocheting in my head – am I ready to jump back into a recruiting role, and what do I have to lose? I am glad that I listened to the latter.
My incredible recruiter took the time to talk through Paylocity’s stability, the history of promotion from within, and how the values are imbued daily. Paylocity became more than software as a service and a modern HCM (Human Capital Management) transforming people’s lives. It started to become like a future home for me. Think Next Generation is a core pillar that ties into early career ethos very well. The pillar that believes the ideal response to the status quo is a continual hunger for something better. Paylocity taps into our curiosity everywhere.
As I continued to interview with coworkers, the manager, and the director, my skepticism turned to excitement! Many employees raved about the work-life balance and how it positively impacted their lives. When I spoke with my now-director, her strategic vision of the early careers team sealed the deal for me and affirmed my past trauma with work, showing how Paylocity is different.
Finding a Community
Today, I could not be happier with my decisions. I was introduced to a healthy team environment, supportive leadership, and active ERGs that built me up! I am a proud member of PCTY OneWorld, which advocates for an inclusive environment where people of diverse ethnic backgrounds are appreciated for their unique characteristics and are encouraged to share their ideas and authentic selves. I am proud of my Indian heritage and never had a place to express myself in the workplace before.
I also have continued my mental wellness journey by joining PCTY Mental Health Champions, a group that strives to create a psychologically safe and healthy workplace where employees bring their whole selves to work and their mental well-being is supported. They have helped to shape language toward building boundaries during the holidays, taking mental health afternoons, and even fun events like laughter yoga. Beyond that, I have been encouraged by my leadership to take breaks, spend time with my family, and pursue my professional passion with Paylocity.
My layoff was devastating, but as I reflect, it was necessary for me to grow as a holistic professional. It forced me to look at mental health, revisit my definition of work, and find a work home that aligns with my core values and bolsters me as an individual. Paylocity is always looking for incredible talent. We have excellent early career programs that help students pursue impactful internships and new college graduate programs that help build a career. If you are further along in your career, we have a robust talent acquisition team looking forward to reading your application. You can learn about all our open roles here.
