Lift as you rise Issue 52 August 2022 Aug 2022 | Page 42

COMMUNITY LIVING

How to prepare for a return

to work after

TAKING PARENTAL LEAVE

6 Tips for a happy return to your job after having a baby

Returning to the office after taking some parental leave , even if it was only for a short time , can be daunting .
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There are worries and questions , such as : Can you deliver from day one ? Who ’ s taken over while you ’ ve been gone and are they better at the job ? How will the boss handle the times when you need to collect your child from the nursery if they are sick ?

The good news is that there are ways to make the return to work a positive experience . Here ’ s what you can do about it :
1 . Be practical and proactive
Make sure you ’ re prepared so that you feel refreshed and can concentrate in the office . ‘ Prepare as much as you can the evening before , e . g . clothes to wear ( for you and your child ), setting the breakfast table , etc .
‘ Create a morning schedule to avoid any last-minute rushing around and arriving at work stressed . Practise your morning routine for a good week