Returning to work after maternity leave
Returning to work after maternity leave can
be a big adjustment. Read about how to go
back to work plus information on choosing
childcare and your flexible working rights.
The first few days back at work after
returning from maternity leave can be
challenging as you get used to working life
again and time away from your baby. You
may feel comfortable being back in a
familiar environment, while at other times it
may feel like it will take ages to settle in
again.
A back to work plan agreed with your
employer and including a planned
handover period can provide a helpful
framework for you to get back up to speed.
You may find the plan needs to be
readjusted because you are adapting
quickly or not. It's OK to speed things up or
down if that feels right to you.
Rights on return to work
If you are returning to work after 26 weeks or
less you are entitled to return to exactly the
same job as you were doing before the start
of your leave. If you are returning after more
than 26 weeks’ maternity leave you still have
the right to return to the same job but if your
employer has a good business reason why
you cannot return to the same job, your
employer can offer you a suitable
alternative job on the same terms and
conditions.
A good business reason might apply where
the employer has made significant changes
in the organisation while you were on leave
and your job and your colleagues’ jobs
have changed. It is not a good reason if
your employer is keeping your maternity
cover in your post and offering you a
different job after returning to work. There
must be a good reason why you cannot
return to your old job.
NCT Newbury & District
If your employer does not give you your job
back after maternity leave you may have a
claim for unfair dismissal and maternity
discrimination and you should seek legal
advice. You have three months from the
date of refusal to make a claim and you
should contact ACAS for Early Conciliation if
you are thinking of bringing a claim. There
are a number of organisations below who
may be able to help you resolve disputes at
work.
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.
DO plan regular reviews with your
line manager. A weekly update
with your boss during the first month
is useful for reporting on what is
working well and to raise issues. This
also has the benefit of enabling
you to appear professional 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 return
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 commitment 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.
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