Can you describe your current assignment?
As a Compensation Specialist, my role is to support all aspects related to rewarding and recognizing our people. I work very closely with the business leaders and HR teams to create recommendations and strategies for compensation programs such as base pay, stock options and short term cash incentives. One of the more unique aspects of my job is the need to balance what is right for Nortel as a whole against the individual business needs/wants. This can be quite a challenge!

What are your career aspirations?
Nortel has a top notch HR department that offers lots of room for growth and development. In the long term I'm looking to broaden my skills in HR to include experiences in sales compensation, benefits, pensions, training and employee relations. Someday I dream of becoming an HR consultant, one stop HR shopping!

How did you end up at Nortel?
When I was 6 months old, I played in the grass at the edge of the Nortel parking lot while my dad was in for an interview. I have fond childhood memories of the Christmas parties, the open houses, and the hot chocolate at my dad's office. When I was looking for a co-op term to complete my post-graduate HR schooling, Nortel was the only place I considered. I started as a co-op and I was brought in to train the HR team on how to use one of our internal reporting systems. A month later I was offered a contract doing stock option reporting and headcount tracking. My office was right beside a Director of Compensation who offered me a full time analyst role when my contract expired.

What values are important to succeed at Nortel?
For me, the most important value is integrity. It is important for me to believe in the company that I work for to believe that the company (and its employees) will do the right thing, and not necessarily the easy thing. I have seen and made some very difficult decisions about individuals' compensation packages. I respect those managers who make difficult decisions when performance isn't up to par. I rejoice with employees who are handsomely rewarded for their contributions. Most importantly, I appreciate that our employees are treated with dignity and respect.

How would you qualify life balance?
My work seems to come in hills and valleys... or maybe more like mountains and valleys. When we're mid cycle, I tend to keep a regular work day. When we're in peak program roll-out, I work some long days... but I usually keep my weekends for myself. During the busy times I typically leave the office at a regular hour to go home and have dinner with my family, and then continue working into the evening on my lap top.

Are there any flexible work solutions available to you?
One of the things I very much value about Nortel is the opportunity to telework. Being a global company, Nortel recognizes that you don't necessarily need to be in an office building to do your job. In my role, none of my clients or co-workers are located in the same office, so I am able to connect into the network from home. We even have phone technologies that make it transparent to the outside world that I am at home.

Flex hours are another great invention that makes Nortel stand out above the rest. I don't punch a clock at Nortel. I have the ability to leave a little early if needed. Nortel has the expectation that my objectives will be met, and I'm given some flexibility to schedule my working hours.

What would you say to someone who would consider joining Nortel?
Come join our family! You'll have the opportunity to work on leading edge technologies with some of the best and brightest minds across the globe. Being a global company, Nortel offers plenty of room for growth and development. There is a certain thrill working in an industry which can change direction so quickly. As employees, we are always learning new things as we are challenged to remain competitive. It's exciting to be part of such a progressive organization.

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