Having experienced two returns to the workplace in the past nine years, I intimately understand the journey—the highs, the lows, and the moments of reflection. The second time around, I endeavored to make it right, learning from my own experiences. Over the last six years, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with countless women from diverse career stages. I’ve heard their stories, witnessed their challenges, celebrated their victories, and learned from their invaluable advice. It is with this wealth of knowledge that I am eager to share insights and guidance to empower you on your own journey.
Abbie Coleman Editor MMB Magazine, Return To Work Plan For Maternity Returners

The Ultimate Return To Work Plan For Maternity Returners
Written By Abbie Coleman

Abbie Coleman is a seasoned expert with a diverse background spanning over 25 years in recruitment. With 12 years of owning her own recruitment firm in the heart of Leeds, she brings a wealth of experience in talent acquisition and management.

Additionally, Abbie has dedicated 10 years to advocating for working mums’ rights in the workplace, championing initiatives to close the motherhood penalty and promote flexible work arrangements and returner programs.

Her expertise has been recognized and quoted in various reputable publications, including the Telegraph, Derbyshire Times, Personnel Today, HR News, and the CIPD returner report and many more.

Return To Work Plan For Maternity Returners- Ignite Your Return: A Dynamic Guide for Maternity Leave Women Ready to Conquer the Workplace!

For women embarking on the exhilarating journey within the last year of maternity return, this Return To Work Plan For Maternity Returners guide is your steadfast companion to an effective return. We understand that each woman’s path is uniquely crafted, laden with distinct emotions, aspirations, and obligations at home and in the professional arena. Here, we don’t just guide you; we empower you to chart your course, to identify and seize what truly resonates with your heart and ambitions.

This Return To Work Plan For Maternity Returners guide isn’t just about returning to work—crafting a significant impact on your return that radiates excellence, aligning seamlessly with your vision of the ideal work-life equilibrium.

Whether scaling the corporate ladder to claim the CEO throne or carving out more time at home with your little ones, this guide is your blueprint for forging a future brimming with purpose and fulfilment. The chapters that follow are the compass points on your extraordinary journey! Let’s blaze the different stages of this trail together for the best return and beyond!

Just click on the chapters and work your way through, and if you need anything, give us a shout at abbie@mmbmagazine.co.uk

* We will constantly add to and refresh this guide throughout the year

The Ultimate Guide for Women Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

Introduction:

1/. Approaching the End of Maternity Leave:

As the conclusion of your maternity leave draws near, a myriad of emotions may swirl within you; it’s a good idea and the right time to start addressing your needs and a proactive plan to achieve them. Uncertainty and apprehension may vie with a longing for the familiar rhythms of your professional life, a hot cup of coffee, and adult conversation.

Return To Work Plan For Maternity Returners magazine open on page with woman in pink coat

This guide is here to support every mum’s different needs and, given time, help you through this transitional phase, offering valuable insights and practical advice tailored to the unique journey of your returning to work program after maternity leave.

2/. Made Redundant on Maternity Leave:

Facing redundancy while on maternity leave can be an unexpected and challenging situation. This section provides guidance on understanding your rights, exploring potential recourse options, and navigating the emotional impact of this circumstance.

Discover practical steps in the best way to assess your next career move, whether it involves seeking new opportunities or considering alternative paths. Gain insights into reclaiming your professional identity and regaining confidence as you embark on this unexpected yet potentially transformative journey.

3/. I Don’t Think I Want To Go Back:

Contemplating Handing in My Notice After Maternity Leave: The prospect of returning to work can evoke a range of feelings, including considering more radical choices and their potential risks. Suppose you are contemplating the possibility of resigning. In that case, we’ll explore the factors to weigh and alternatives to consider, including graduated return, ensuring you make an informed decision aligned with your personal and professional aspirations.

4/. What Does Success Mean To You:

Success is a deeply personal concept, and how often do you look at what success really means to you? It’s not always the promotion, work duties, salary, or title. We’ll help you reflect on your unique definition of achievement, empowering you to set and pursue meaningful goals that align with your values, aspirations, and the multifaceted roles you play.

5. Preparing for Your Return to Work After Maternity Leave:

Transitioning back into the workforce requires thoughtful preparation. From organising childcare arrangements to re-establishing your daily routine and connection with your entire team, line manager and management team, this section provides a comprehensive checklist to help you navigate this pivotal time and ensure you get it right the first time.

6/. Mindset Tips For Returning To Work After Maternity Leave: Navigating the Transition

Returning from maternity leave can be emotionally charged and mentally demanding. This section is dedicated to nurturing the right mindset for a smooth re-entry into the professional sphere. We offer practical tips and empowering insights to help you navigate the emotional landscape, build confidence, and embrace your dual roles with grace. From setting realistic expectations to celebrating your achievements, this guide encourages you to approach this transition with a positive and resilient mindset. Embrace these strategies and step into this new phase of your journey with the assurance that you are more than capable of thriving in both your personal and professional life.

7/. Returning & Balancing your Return to Work

Stepping back into the professional arena after a hiatus can feel like a monumental task. This section is dedicated to supporting you through this pivotal phase, offering practical insights and strategies to ease the transition. From re-establishing routines to negotiating flexible work arrangements, we guide you in finding equilibrium between career and personal responsibilities.

Whether it’s rekindling professional connections or mastering time management, this guide empowers you to return to work with confidence and poise. Embrace these resources and embark on your journey to not just re-enter, but to thrive in your professional sphere.

8/. Unlocking the Potential of KIT (Keep in Touch) Days:

KIT days can be instrumental in facilitating a smooth reintegration into your workplace. Discover how to leverage these valuable opportunities to maintain connections, stay updated, and ease the transition into your role.

9/. Embracing a Phased Return To Work Approach Return:

A phased return can provide a gentler re-entry into the work environment, allowing you to strike a balance between professional responsibilities and family commitments. We’ll guide you through the process, offering practical steps to negotiate a phased return plan that suits your needs.

10/. Finding The Right Childcare

Finding the right childcare for your family, can feel like a minefield. Let us talk you through the options so you can choose the best option for you.

11/. Balancing Sleep for Mums With A New Baby in the Workplace:

Juggling work demands alongside the needs of a career-focused mother and a baby can present unique sleep challenges. This section offers valuable strategies for mothers to optimise their sleep routines, ensuring they remain well-rested and alert for the demands of both their professional and parenting roles. Discover effective time-management techniques and self-care practices to prioritise rest without compromising career aspirations.

For babies, this section addresses the critical importance of establishing healthy sleep habits early on. Explore expert tips on creating a nurturing sleep environment, establishing routines, and troubleshooting common sleep issues. Learn how to strike a harmonious balance between nurturing your child’s sleep needs and your professional commitments, ultimately fostering a well-rested and thriving family dynamic.

12/. Is Flexible Working For Me:

Flexibility is vital for many working mothers. Learn how to approach the conversation about flexible working arrangements with confidence and gain insights into what flexible working truly entails in its many forms, including remote work and home office working. This section will empower you to seek a balance that nurtures your career and family life.

13/. How Do I Ask For Flexible Working:

When it comes to requesting flexible working, confidence and tact are key. This section equips you with effective strategies and communication tips to approach this conversation with your employer. From outlining the benefits to addressing potential concerns, we guide you in articulating your needs while maintaining professionalism. Whether it’s adjusting hours or exploring remote work options, this guide empowers you to advocate for a work arrangement that harmonizes with your life. Embrace the tools provided here, and step into this conversation with the assurance that your needs are valid and worth addressing.

14/. What Does Success Mean To You:

Success is a deeply personal concept. We’ll help you reflect on your unique definition of achievement, empowering you to set and pursue meaningful goals that align with your values, aspirations, and the multifaceted roles you play with our return to work plan for maternity returners.

15/. Crafting a Blueprint for a Successful Return:

Building a solid foundation for your return to work is essential. Explore practical strategies for effective time management, goal-setting, and self-care, ensuring a seamless reintegration into your professional sphere.

16/. Navigating Breastfeeding at Work:

Balancing breastfeeding with a return to the workplace can be a complex endeavour in your office space. This section provides valuable advice on preparing for this transition, from understanding your rights and accommodations to practical tips for maintaining your breastfeeding journey with our return to work plan for maternity returners.

17/. Rebuilding Your Network – Find Your People:

Rekindling professional connections is a vital step in reclaiming your place in the workforce. Discover actionable strategies for re-establishing and expanding your network through new and different people, allowing you to tap into valuable resources and opportunities.

18/. Finding A Mentor

Mentorship is a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth to develop you own leadership team. This section introduces a mentor’s profound impact on your journey, guiding you in selecting the right mentor, forging meaningful connections, and fostering mutually enriching relationships. Prepare to embrace knowledge and empowerment as mentorship becomes the cornerstone of your evolution.

19/. How To Silence Your Inner Critic: A Guide to Inner Peace and Empowerment:

Taming your inner critic is paramount in pursuing personal and professional growth. This section unveils effective strategies to silence that persistent voice of self-doubt. Discover techniques to cultivate inner peace, boost confidence, and unlock your full potential.

Prepare to embark on a journey of self-empowerment, where your inner critic transforms from adversary to ally in your pursuit of success and fulfilment with our return to work plan for maternity returners.

20/. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Unleashing Your True Potential

Imposter Syndrome can be a formidable hurdle on the path to personal and professional success. This section equips you with powerful strategies to recognise, confront, and ultimately conquer feelings of inadequacy.

Uncover techniques to embrace your true worth, cultivate confidence, and step boldly into your authentic self. Prepare to embark on a transformative journey, where Imposter Syndrome becomes a stepping stone to realising your full potential and achieving remarkable heights.

21/. Navigating New Motherhood: Empowering Strategies to Handle Stress:

The arrival of a new baby brings boundless joy, but it can also introduce a new set of challenges and stressors for your mental health. This section is dedicated to equipping new mothers with practical tools to navigate this transformative phase with confidence and grace in our return to work plan for maternity returners.

From establishing self-care routines to seeking support networks, we delve into strategies that promote emotional well-being. Whether managing sleepless nights or finding moments of serenity amidst the chaos, this section empowers you to prioritise your mental and physical health, ensuring you thrive as a new mother.

Embrace these empowering techniques and embark on your journey towards a balanced and fulfilling motherhood experience.

22/. Cultivating A Resilient Attitude: Fortifying Your Inner Strength:

In the face of life’s inevitable challenges, building resilience is the cornerstone of not only surviving but thriving. This section delves into cultivating inner fortitude, providing practical strategies to weather adversity and bounce back stronger than before. From developing a growth mindset to honing coping mechanisms, we explore techniques that empower you to face obstacles confidently and gracefully.

By embracing resilience, you’ll navigate life’s ups and downs more effectively and discover a newfound capacity to seize opportunities and forge ahead towards your goals. Let this section be your guide in fostering the unbreakable spirit that lies within you. Embrace resilience, and watch it transform your journey with our return to work plan for maternity returners.

23/. Breaking Through Barriers In Your Career:

This section is dedicated to dismantling the obstacles that stand between you and your professional aspirations. From systemic challenges to personal roadblocks, we explore practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you navigate and overcome any hurdles in your career. Whether it’s breaking through glass ceilings or shattering self-imposed limitations, this guide empowers you to forge ahead with determination and purpose. Embrace the tools provided here, and watch as barriers transform into stepping stones on your journey to career fulfillment and achievement.

24/. Best Women Empowerment Books You Must Read

This curated list of 30 female empowerment books is designed to inspire and uplift returners on their path to success. Each title offers invaluable insights, practical advice, and powerful narratives that resonate with the experiences of women returning to the workforce. Whether you’re seeking guidance on career advancement, work-life balance, or personal growth, these books provide a diverse and enriching library to fuel your professional journey. Dive into these empowering reads and let their wisdom propel you forward in your return to work.

25/. Reskilling for a Changing Landscape:

The professional landscape is ever-evolving. Learn how to identify and acquire the skills that will empower you to thrive in your chosen field, ensuring you remain competitive and adaptable in an ever-changing work environment.

26/. Leveraging LinkedIn

LinkedIn can be a powerful tool for expanding your professional footprint. Uncover effective strategies for optimising your profile, networking, and leveraging the platform to enhance your career trajectory.

27/. Negotiating a Pay Rise with Confidence:

Advocating for fair compensation is a crucial aspect of your professional journey. Gain insights into the art of negotiation, and equip yourself with the tools and strategies to confidently approach discussions about your remuneration.

28/. Transitioning Beyond: Navigating Workplace Changes and Personal Priorities

When the time comes to part ways with your current employer, whether due to misaligned company culture or shifting personal needs, this section offers invaluable guidance to discover effective strategies to navigate this pivotal transition, from assessing your values and priorities to crafting a plan for your next steps, whether it’s a quest for a more accommodating work environment or pursuing the next degree up, this section empowers you to take charge of your career trajectory.

Prepare to embark on a journey towards a professional chapter that resonates with your aspirations and lifestyle with our return to work plan for maternity returners.

Embark on this transformative journey with our comprehensive Return To Work Plan For Maternity Returners guide, designed to empower you with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the return to work after maternity leave with confidence and grace. Your path to professional fulfilment awaits and we hope our return to work plan for maternity returners helps you get there .

The Ultimate Return To Work Plan For Long Term Returners – Career Break Of Three Years Plus

If you are looking to revive your career, jump over to our guide – A Resilient Guide for Mums Ready to Reignite the Workplace!

If you find yourself at the precipice of needing a re-entry strategy, having had a long time and long break away from the workforce in the important role of a caregiver for your children and now looking to reclaim your professional stride or financial circumstances have nudged you towards a new chapter, this guide is your beacon of empowerment.

It is tailored for mothers like you, who have dedicated a career break to the vital role of nurturing their children and are now primed to make a dynamic re-entry into the workforce. We cover everything from applying for an RTW program, finding a role and career, crafting your CV, any interview question and interview tips, you name it. The chapters that await are the keys to unlocking a new era of professional prowess and personal fulfilment. Let’s embark on this exhilarating journey together; we’ve got your back at MMB Magazine with our return to work plan for maternity returners guides.

#Return To Work Plan For Maternity Returners

The Ultimate Return To Work Plan For Maternity Returners