Returning to work after maternity leave – advice for employers and working parents

My Return to Work from Maternity Leave

I am now a couple of weeks in to my return to work following my maternity leave and wanted to share my journey and insights to help other working parents and employers.

The return to work period can be a time of mixed emotions as parents adjust to balance family and working life. I hope this article will help both parents and employers to understand the nuances of the transition, especially with the recent changes to childcare legislation and funding.

Below, I have provided some practical advice and tips with the aim of helping working parents to enjoy and thrive both in their career and family life.

Childcare Funding and Early Years Recruitment Crisis

In the Conservative Government's 2023 budget, which continues under Labour, increased government-funded childcare was introduced to support working parents. From April 2024, eligible working parents of two-year-olds were able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare. By September 2024, this extended to children from nine months old, and by September 2025, eligible working parents of children under five will be entitled to 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week.

While these changes have been hugely welcome by working parents given the challenges of the affordability of childcare in the UK, early years providers face significant financial pressures. Funding rates often do not cover costs, leading to nursery closures and recruitment challenges due to a shortage of qualified staff and low pay. For instance, research by NDNA reveals that 199 nurseries closed between September 2023 and the start of the current academic year, affecting over 10,000 children.

I experienced this firsthand when a local nursery closed, increasing demand for childcare places and recommendations that I should secure a place for my son before he was born. I advise parents to secure childcare options early, as the landscape has changed significantly since my first child was born in 2021.

Advice for Working Parents and Employers

Here are some practical tips from my experience for parents on maternity leave and those returning to work:

1. Secure Childcare Early: Due to increased demand and nursery closures, securing a place as soon as possible is crucial.
2. Flexible Working Requests: Employers should respond quickly to flexible working requests to help parents secure necessary childcare.

How can employers help working parents to achieve balance and support parental wellbeing

For employers, supporting working parents involves more than just HR policies. A supportive culture can make a significant difference. Here are some ways employers can help:

1. Engagement to understand lived experience: Engage and listen to parents in the workplace to understand any challenges they face and support that could be put in place to support wellbeing and retention.
2. Support Networks: Maternity buddy schemes and working parents and carers allies groups can provide valuable support and feedback.
3. Inclusive Working: Supportive leadership and management teams that accommodate flexible working arrangements help parents balance work and family life.
4. KIT Days: Keep in touch days personally helped me with the transition back to work. I’d encourage employers to use these to update parents on any changes, new hires, and key projects, ensuring they feel informed and confident upon their return. KIT days also provide the opportunity to plan and address any concerns prior to returning to work.

1. Flexible Networking: Flexible networking opportunities, such as lunch networking instead of after-work events, can help parents maintain the social aspect of work while balancing family responsibilities.
2. Return to work Coaching and Mentoring: Many women report imposter syndrome creeping in when returning to work. Offering mentoring support could help to increase confidence as they adjust to balancing their career and family life.

1. Accessible Policies and Support Information: Ensure easy access to relevant information and policies related to pregnancy, maternity, and returning to work such as breastfeeding support. By adding a Returning to Work communication point to their parental leave process, employers can send a warm welcome back and sign-post to other resources that support their return
2. Reducing Mental Load: Maternal mental health week ran earlier this month to raise professional and public awareness of perinatal mental health problems, noting at least that 1 in 5 women will experience mental health challenges during pregnancy or in the first year of childbirth. Employers can support parental wellbeing through, allies groups, check-ins during the transition, and inclusive working options.

 

Career Development and Flexible Working Post-COVID

Continuing to support working parents with career development is essential. Advertising flexibility in job adverts can attract working mothers and help retain talent. Some companies, like Amazon, have mandated a return to the office five days per week, ending hybrid policies. We have also seen this topic up for political debate with Reform leader, Nigel Farage, proposing a clamp down on working from home. This could negatively impact parents and those with other caring responsibilities, potentially excluding access to talent and affecting productivity.

Government reports indicate that fewer than one-fifth of new mothers follow a full-time career after maternity leave. Flexibility is crucial for supporting working parents in their careers while maintaining family balance.

Providing Interim Solutions During Parental Leave

As an interim provider, my company often provides interim leadership support to cover parental leave. I recommend allowing time for a detailed handover before maternity leave starts and considering a phased part-time end to the assignment as the parent transitions back into their role.

Returning to work after maternity leave can be an anxious time. I suggest having a few settling sessions with your childcare provider before returning to work to help both you and your baby adjust. I am grateful for my supportive employer, which allows me to balance and enjoy both my career and family life.

I hope my experiences will help other working parents, and I would love to hear from people on their experience on this topic and how your employers have supported you. I look forward to catching up with my client and candidate network and continuing the conversation to support working parents. If you would like to discuss anything relating to this article please feel free to reach out.