Survive, and even thrive in work after your parental leave

Stay connected 

Everyone is different, some people will want to completely disconnect from their work life, however, sometimes a complete disconnection can be a source of anxiety, questions like, what am I missing?, am I being forgotten?, will I be lost when I return?, can start to creep in.

I found it helpful to have some level of involvement, such as:

• Attending work social events is a nice way to stay in touch in a fun and casual environment, and without the pressure of going to the office.
• Consider using your ‘Keep in Touch days’. When you are on maternity leave, you are entitled to take up to ten Keep in Touch days. These are fully paid days, where you can set up some casual catch-up meetings with colleagues and get updates on what’s been happening in the business. I took eight months maternity leave and used nine of my KIT days, they really helped to keep me up-to-date on what was going on and relieve that sense of feeling out of touch. I could pop into the office, have coffee catch ups with colleagues, and go for after-work drinks - I was in the work atmosphere without the pressure of having to do the job, and I enjoyed the days. Also, it's worth noting that you could ask for your KIT days to be virtual catch-ups from home, or pop into the office for the core hours of maybe 10am-4pm for example.
• Simply dipping in and out and engaging with your company’s LinkedIn feed is an easy way to stay updated and feel included.
  
• Staying active and up-to-date in any team WhatsApp groups can also be a nice way of being involved in your team’s lives from a personal perspective, if you have that kind of relationship.
  

 Explore your options

Reach out and talk to your family and friends. Join antenatal groups where you can create relationships with people going through similar situations at the same time. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable with your team and wider colleagues in your company, even if you're the manager. I expressed my apprehension about returning to work with some of my colleagues - managing the transition, figuring out childcare, leaving my baby in a new place on their own, having imposter syndrome at work – it’s a lot!!, .... however, rather than feeling foolish for sharing, I felt better for it. It created an opportunity for compassion and connection with others, because after all, we are only human.

Everyone knows that being a parent is a hard job, especially the initial adjustment period, so if you've made it out the other side and are ready to return to work, then be proud of yourself, shake off any self-doubt and return with a new, fresh perspective on things, which will add value to your company, and your team. 

Thanks for reading my article, I hope you found some of the points helpful, and I wish you all the best in your return to work. If you are unhappy with the level of support you are getting upon your return, then maybe it’s time for a change, you can browse our finance, technology & change roles here on our website.