Croatian Makes UK’s 50 Most Powerful Part-Timers List

A 39-year-old Croatian-born woman has made the 3rd annual Power Part Time List of the 50 most powerful people in the UK who take a flexible approach to working…

Split-born Karla Hrabar, who is the health & beauty sales manager (Tesco Team) at consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble, has managed to make Timewise’s annual list of the most powerful part-timers in the UK. Karla works four days a week (8:30am – 5:30pm) and is in charge of a team of 13 people which turns over millions of pounds every month. She said her change to work fewer hours came with the birth of her daughter.

“After Maya was born I spent one year on maternity leave, but when I came back to work I asked to work part-time because I thought it was more important to spend more time with my girl in those key years of her development,” Karla, who has worked at Proctor & Gamble for 11 years, told Slobodna Dalmacija, adding that being named on this year’s list was overwhelming.

“I see it as a great personal success, but I hope that it is also a good example to others that people working part-time can also achieve results just like those working full-time.”

So what does Karla think are the qualities a good manager needs?

“I think a good manager always needs to support people in their team in every step of their career. A good manager must have a close relationship with their workers, know their desires and aspirations, and also their problem and worries so in spirit and unity they can help them achieve their highest productivity and aspirations. If employees have faith in their manager, if they believe in their support, then they will do everything for that person, which will produce successful results for both sides,” said Karla, whose team was voted Proctor & Gamble’s team of the year in the UK.

To get a place on the list Hrabar had to meet Timewise’s criteria, which includes holding a certain position in the organisation structure of a company, achieving outstanding business results and being an inspiration to others. One of Timewise’s main aims is to help persuade as many employers as they can to open up to becoming more flexible with working models for men and women in different industries and in different positions they occupy in companies.