Returning Back To Work After Maternity Leave

Whether it is part time or full time, returning back to work from maternity leave can somewhat feel very daunting for any mum. Getting yourself back into the swing of things is a huge leap from the relaxed and spontaneous routine you have become accustomed to, so we have a step by step guide of how to get you from baby brain to work again!

Step One – Your Return

• You must give your employer eight weeks’ notice if you want to return to work earlier or later than your agreed date.
• Be aware that it will typically take around 14 weeks’ from your request for flexible working to implementing new arrangements, assuming your employer agrees.

When returning after having a baby, you have the right to go back to the same job on the same terms and conditions as before you went on maternity leave. But with these rights come responsibilities, such as giving your employer plenty of notice if you plan to go back early or want to ask for flexible working arrangements.

Whilst on maternity leave, your employer should keep you informed of any issues which may affect you. For example, you should be informed of any relevant promotion opportunities or job vacancies that arise during your maternity leave.

What to do if you think your employer isn’t being fair?

Talk to them first – it’s possible they just don’t know the rules. If this doesn’t work, you may need to make a complaint using your employer’s grievance procedure. Then, if you’re still not happy, contact your trade union if you have one or speak to a specialist at Acas.

Step Two – Organising Childcare

It can take longer than you think to find the childcare that’s right for you, so start early.

Talk to other parents or family members about the childcare they use, and make sure you visit, interview and consider a range of options before working out what’s right for your family.

Give your childcare a ‘trial run’ before you’re back at work full time. You and your baby will need time to familiarise yourselves with new faces and routines so gradually building up to full days with the nursery can be the best way to settle in.

All settings will offer a settling in period, this could be a full day, half-day or consecutive planned visits away from your baby, so you can get ‘acclimatised’ emotionally.

Look4Nurseries.co.uk is a great way for a parent to search a nursery. There is a map search facility that works by you entering in your postcode, which will then search up to 5 miles to find the nearest nurseries to you!

To find a nursery near you, search http://www.look4nurseries.co.uk/

Step Three – Easing back in gently

You will want to arrive at work cheerful, calm and definitely unflustered, so cut down on stress by making a plan for each stage of your first morning, from getting yourself ready, to dealing with child care, to getting to work and the things you need to do when you get there.

I read somewhere recently a mum’s view of what it was like for her returning back to work, she said:

“The day I left work I was the person who knew everything.

On the day I returned, I was the girl who knew nothing”.

It can seem like a lifetime ago since you remember being at work, but one thing is for sure if you fail to prepare then prepare to fail!

Plan out your day starting from the minute you wake up to the point when you go to bed.

Start with the following

• Time you need to get up
• What you need for work
• What your child needs for nursery
• Time it takes you to drop off at nursery to arrive at work

This will help you prepare everything in advance to avoid any stressful situations.

Step Four – Adjusting to a new routine

If childcare arrangements are new for you, or for your child, try and have two days ahead of time when you try out the routine, even if it’s only for a half day.

If you’re still feeding and plan to express breast milk at work, this is a good time to try out any equipment to make sure it works well and that you’re comfortable with it.

Discuss your home routine to the nursery so that they can maintain as little disruption to your baby as possible. This will allow w them to gradually build up to a more structured routine over time.

Step Five – Enjoying both work and home life

Like many things there is no one right way or magic formula. Our work and family circumstances vary enormously.

We have to find what works for us at any given time – recognising the need to be flexible as personal, family and work needs vary and change.

Finding the right balance to a healthy work and family life – Make time for one another and above all make the most of it!