There are a lot of women who, when they first have a child, experience permanent changes to their working life. Some never go back to work but instead take on being full-time mothers. Others do not have that option. Some would rather be back in the job that fulfilled them. Whichever reason has you going back to work, then it’s important to make sure that you’re returning to work in the right way, protecting yourself, your rights, and your growing family.
Get in contact well in advance
Before you make any concrete decisions about how you’re going to be returning to work, it’s a good idea to re-open the lines of contact before you start easing back in. Rejoin any slack conversations you might have been out with, get in touch with your boss to let them know you’re thinking about returning, and get caught up with the changes you might have missed or the projects that might currently be ongoing. Your boss may be more willing and able to accommodate any changes that you might require if you’re able to give them plenty of leeway and time to do so.
Know what you’re going to do with the baby
Of course, you’re going to need some plans as to where your baby is going to be while you are at work. Talk to family members to see if they are able to help provide childcare, including any partner that you might have. A little payment for their trouble can help them feel appreciated and it’s still likely to cost less than a professional. Of course, otherwise, you may need to look at the childcare options near you. Some people are lucky enough to work in an organization that allows for children in the workplace or has some kind of internal childcare services but don’t plan with the expectations that you will be taking your child to work with you. It’s not always a viable option.
Try to manage a phased return first
You need to be relatively gentle with yourself when you first return to a job. You might find that, either emotionally or physically, getting back to work can be exhausting and challenging. Being away from your child for that long can be a challenge for many (but not all) new mothers. Even if you’re fine with being at work, the toll of work after such a long break can be exhausting in and of itself. As such, talk to your employer about coming back slowly as part of a phased return, be it for a shorter time at first, or with fewer responsibilities, taking on more as you return and get back into the flow.
Don’t get pushed into more than you take on
You want to be accommodating and to be a “good sport” as best as possible when you return to work. It’s your right to expect a return to work after maternity leave (in most places) but you should still be cognizant of how your absence and return can cause some disruption for those around you. However, that doesn’t mean that you should feel guilty or let that awareness be taken advantage of. Be sure to know how much work you can take on and learn how to say no if your boss or co-workers ask you to take on more than you are able. You have more than just your personal ability to handle extra work to consider now, there’s a baby in the mix.
Keep your physical health in mind, too
Giving birth can be physically stressful, and a lot of mothers deal with issues like chronic pain or healing injuries after the fact, as well. You might be fit to return to work, but you might still need to be careful that you don’t exacerbate any injuries or pain you’re living with at the moment. To that end, make it clear what your existing physical limitations are with your boss and take a stand if they try to push you. If their decisions lead to you getting injured at work, then be sure to report it, make a record, and get in touch with your lawyer. Not keeping evidence as soon as you can is one of the most common mistakes when it comes to any kind of injury claim. You should be ready and willing to stand up for your rights.
Spend more time organizing in advance
If you know what you’re going to be doing for your next workday, then doing a little prep work at home ahead of time can help you be all the more productive and efficient when you return to work. When you first get back to the workplace, it can take a little time to slip back into your most efficient ways of working. As such, plan out your workday, scheduling when you’re going to be taking on certain tasks. That way, you spend less time getting organized throughout the workday and can instead work a little more smoothly to the plan you set up ahead of time.
Consider making a change
Returning to the workplace might not be the right decision for you. Perhaps you will identify this rather quickly after returning, or perhaps you will know already that going in isn’t going to work before you even do it. Luckily, working from home is becoming a much bigger part of many businesses. Talk to your employer about the potential of being a remote worker and, if they refuse, consider looking for roles that will allow you to work from home. There are a lot of mothers who are even taking their skills and starting home businesses, be it in marketing, virtual assisting, buying and selling products, or otherwise.
Navigating the workplace as a new mother can be tricky, to say the least. Some workplaces are famously hostile against women who return from maternity leave. Hopefully, the tips above can help you make your return well or deal well with any problems that might crop up along the way.
