Marili Josie Amper

There are moments in life when our priorities become crystal clear.

For me, that moment came when my mother needed me.

Like many working professionals, I have always taken pride in being committed to my work. But when someone you love is going through a difficult time, you realize that no meeting, deadline, or project is more important than simply being present.

As I cared for my mother, I experienced firsthand the emotional and physical demands that come with being a caregiver. It was a role I embraced wholeheartedly, but one that also reminded me how challenging it can be to balance work and family responsibilities.

I was fortunate to work for an organization that understood this reality.

At Sodexo, we believe that improving quality of life begins with our people. One way we bring this commitment to life is through our Care Leave benefit. In the Philippines, where this type of leave remains relatively uncommon, employees are granted five additional days of leave, separate from their vacation and sick leave, to care for immediate family members during critical situations.

Before my own experience, I appreciated Care Leave as an employee benefit. After becoming a caregiver, I understood that it was something far more meaningful. It was a reminder that behind every employee is a family, and sometimes, the greatest support an employer can provide is the time and space to be there for the people who need us most.

For me, this benefit became deeply personal.

I work in Manila, while my mother lives in Southern Leyte. In October 2024, our family received difficult news: my mother had slipped and fractured her hip. At 82 years old, surgery carried significant risks.

Beyond the medical concerns, there was another emotional reality we had to face. My mother had always been fiercely independent. She was active, energetic, and accustomed to managing life on her own terms. Watching someone so full of vitality suddenly struggle with limited mobility was heartbreaking, not only for our family, but especially for her.

Initially, she resisted the idea of surgery. She hoped that time and conservative treatment might allow her injury to heal naturally. However, after several consultations, her doctors explained that surgery offered the best chance for her to regain mobility and preserve her quality of life.

Convincing her was not easy.

As her daughter, I understood her fears. Undergoing major surgery at 82 required immense courage. With the encouragement of our family and the guidance of her medical team, she eventually agreed.

Although my mother had built her life in Southern Leyte after marrying my father, Surigao City remained close to her heart, it was her hometown. Many of our relatives still lived there, as did my sister and her family. Given the support system available, it was decided that she would undergo surgery in Surigao City, approximately a four-hour boat ride from our hometown, Liloan.

In January 2025, my mother underwent surgery.

Because of Sodexo's Care Leave benefit, I was able to fly from Manila and be present during one of the most critical moments of her recovery journey. Together with my sister, I cared for our mother in the hospital while drawing strength from relatives who rallied around us during that difficult time.

Those five days meant everything.

They allowed me to sit beside my mother before surgery, encourage her during moments of uncertainty, support decisions alongside my family, and help shoulder the emotional and practical responsibilities that accompany caring for an aging parent. Combined with my vacation leave, I was able to spend even more meaningful time supporting her recovery.

Looking back, I realize that what Sodexo gave me was far more valuable than additional leave credits.

It gave me peace of mind.

It allowed me to focus on my family without the added burden of choosing between professional responsibilities and personal obligations. It enabled me to fulfill one of the most important roles I will ever have—not as an employee, but as a daughter.

Today, my mother's recovery continues, marked by resilience, determination, and the unwavering support of those who love her. I remain profoundly grateful that I had the opportunity to be there when she needed me most.

This experience reinforced an important leadership lesson: employee benefits are not merely policies documented in handbooks. They are tangible expressions of an organization's values.

When designed thoughtfully, they signal trust. They demonstrate empathy. They acknowledge that supporting employees through life's defining moments ultimately strengthens engagement, loyalty, and wellbeing.

As the future of work continues to evolve, organizations have an opportunity—and arguably, a responsibility—to rethink how they support their people. Competitive compensation will always matter, but increasingly, employees are seeking workplaces that recognize their humanity.

Compassion is no longer a "nice to have." It is a business imperative.

At Sodexo, improving quality of life begins from within. Through initiatives like Care Leave, our Employee Value Proposition reflects a simple yet powerful belief: when employees feel supported as individuals, they are empowered to bring their best selves to work.

For me, Care Leave was more than an employee benefit.

It was empathy in action.

It was trust.

It was support when I needed it most.

Most importantly, it gave me something I can never replace—the gift of presence.

Because sometimes, improving quality of life is not found in grand gestures.

Sometimes, it means giving people the time and space to be exactly where they are needed most—with the people they love.

And for that, I will always be thankful.