Tips on returning to work after
maternity leave
DO ask for a phased return to
help you return to work in the first
few months. For example, you
could ask to use your annual
leave to work a shorter week for
the first month or reduce your
hours on a temporary basis.
goals after you have been back
for a couple of months.
You may choose to work differ-
ently when going back to work
after having a baby in order to
balance your job and time with
your family or childcare needs.
Flexible working could be an op-
tion for you to consider. . There
are a number of different options
DO plan regular reviews with your you could consider, such as work-
ing part-time, term-time only,
line manager. A weekly update
working from home or jobshare.
with your boss during the first
month is useful for reporting on
For more information about right
what is working well and to raise to ask for flexible working and you
issues. This also has the benefit maternity rights please visit our
of enabling you to appear profes- website here
sional and proactive. It will help
your boss to realise that you are
adding value from day one.
DO agree a date for an objectives
setting meeting in your first week
back. A good time for this will be
about two months after your re-
turn to work. Use this meeting to
agree short-term objectives and
also talk about your career plan.
This will enable you to reassure
your line manager of your com-
mitment and professionalism.
DO ask for help. It is very easy for
those you work with to assume
everything is OK if you don’t say
anything.
DO review your life and career