Deciding to return to work after maternity leave can be tough and if you’ve been off work for a while then you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with the change in routine and trying to balance working with home life. With the number of working mothers at an all-time high, more women than ever are embracing both careers and motherhood. For some, jumping back into their career where they left off might not be the best choice, so there are some things that can be done to help ease the process.
Getting the right support
When it comes to getting back into work you’ll find having the right support can make a huge difference. Whether it’s from family, friends or work colleagues, accepting the support whenever you can will help to balance work and home life. When it comes to finding other sources of support, there are plenty of online resources, Randstad have put together information surrounding returning to work which includes tips, personal stories and advice. Making the use of support and resources wherever you can, can help you to feel prepared with stepping back into the workplace.
Going part time
One thing to consider upon your return is to opt for a part time role or some flexible working options, which you are legally entitled to. This can really help at the beginning when you’re tying to get back into your routine and establish a balance that works for you. When you discuss returning to work with your manager or HR department, offering this up as a solution might work well for both you and your employer as they might be looking to get some additional resource onto the team. This can also help with any child care costs or commitments that you find yourself balancing outside of work whilst still giving you the opportunity to thrive within the workplace. There are plenty of benefits to part time working, so it might be something worth considering!
Changing careers
You might find that returning to work from maternity leave offers the perfect opportunity to change your career and pursue something you’d always wanted to do. Whether that’s going back to university to learn something new and take on a completely new career path. Or changing up your role and moving on with a new opportunity at a new company. There are plenty of flexible ways to learn such as The Open University which allows you to fit your studies around your other commitments. If you do want to use this opportunity to embark on a new career path, then take some time to weigh your options. There might be opportunities with on the job learning, work experience or freelancing which can all fit around your personal schedules. Perusing a freelance career might be a great option if you want to be able to spend time at home and run a business in the evenings or in your spare time. There are a lot of options around flexible and freelance working these days!
Indeed, when you return to work after having a baby, you might feel a mix of emotions. There’s the excitement of working and spending time with adults again. But there can also be anxiety about your child’s care and other feelings like guilt. Even if the adjustment takes time, things usually settle down.