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Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

Written by: Emma White

Article Overview: Having a baby is a life changing event. Just as you are getting used to the demands of caring for your baby, you may have to consider returning to work.

Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

Having a baby is a life changing event. Just as you are getting used to the demands of caring for your baby, you may have to consider returning to work.

It is not just the practicalities of childcare to consider, common issues include:

• Feeling a loss of control
• Lack of confidence or feeling out of practice
• Worried about being ‘over emotional’
• Difficulty in managing a member of staff who took over maternity cover.
• Feelings of guilt at leaving the baby or leaving the office on time

Coping with the change can feel overwhelming at times, with all the option to consider and decisions to make when returning to work. Firstly consider your own thoughts about returning to work and leaving your child in someone else’s care.

What are your worries and fears?

What actions can you take to overcome your concerns?

What are your options?

For example, you may not be able to afford to be a full time mum but is a part-time role an option?

Could you consider starting a business or buying a franchise designed specifically for mums?

If you decide to change roles or companies, determine what is important to you. What type of company benefits suit you now? Such as:
• Flexi-time
• Working from home
• Childcare Allowance
• An understanding and approachable manager
• What daily activities your role will include, for example you might want a role which is more static if your previous role required you to travel.
If you do decide to return to your current employer then make contact with your manager or HR advisor to ask any questions about your role and what changes you might need to request. For example, ask about flexible working arrangements and how the handover of work will be managed when you return.

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Article Tags: buying a franchise, decisions, emotional difficulty, fears, feelings of guilt, full time, handover, having a baby, home childcare, hr advisor, lack of confidence, maternity, mums, part time, working from home, worries



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