Recruitment News
Recruitment News: Worklife After Children
Recruitment News Article Series: Going back to work after childbearing is a huge decision. If you’re contemplating whether or not to do it, or if you’ve made the decision but are wondering how you’ll cope then read on:
The number one thing holding mums back from the workforce is letting go of the guilt. There ARE benefits to having a working mum: it encourages independence, responsibility and sets a great example; increases exposure to other children and many different types of play; helps children view Mum as multidimensional; and teaches them to develop more egalitarian attitudes towards marriage, family, men and women's roles.
Making the transition back to work easier begins during maternity leave:
- Set a return-to-work date to have a guideline to prepare for.
- Talk to your employer, clarify your duties and schedule when you return.
- Find dependable childcare and leave your child with the carer for short periods.
- Make back up plans for childcare in case the unforeseen happens.
- Prepare yourself if you wish to continue breastfeeding.
And it continues after you start back:
- Get organised, make a to-do list eliminating tasks that aren’t essential.
- Prepare baby’s bag the night before to save time.
- Start off part time, build up your work hours gradually.
- Provide continuity of care; stay connected with a daily call or text to your carer to see how things are.
Jane Reddiex, Beyond's Business Support Manager, indicates that job share arrangements and reduced hours help the transition: “As long as mums have kept up with changes and trends in their industry there’s no reason why they shouldn’t return to their original career paths. Sometimes it is sensible to take a step down to the level where they left off, get their confidence back and polish up skills that have been dormant while on leave”.
Beyond Recruitment is hugely supportive of mums returning to work and boasts at least 18 staff nationally who are successfully returning from maternity leave and that number only continues to grow.
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