p36-37 Knowledge feature Sept11 8/9/09 14:45 Page 36
knowledge workplace
ttglive.com
New mothers
Going back to work
may not be child’s play
After months away from the workplace it can be daunting for a new mother to return to
her former role. In the second of two features on maternity, Lucinda Dunseath finds
out how new mothers – and their employers – can best smooth the return to work
F
or a woman nearing the end of her they left, but many new mothers want more reply in writing. It is worth noting that
maternity leave, a screaming infant time at home. Statistics from Managing women are also allowed an extra four weeks’
may not be the only concern on her Maternity, a company that advises parental leave on top of their maternity
mind. Worries about returning to employers on maternity matters, found that leave, without it affecting their job.
work are not uncommon, particularly after in two-thirds of the organisations surveyed Although today’s regulations allow
several months off. Women may fear that in 2008, half the women went back to work women a fair amount of time off work, this
procedures have changed in their absence on a flexible or part-time basis following can also have a distancing effect on them.
and wonder how they will cope with their maternity leave. Schemes such as “keeping in touch” days
new family priorities. If flexible or part-time work is a considera- aim to combat this by allowing women to
The law says mothers returning to work tion, women are entitled to request it and return to the office for up to 10 days during
are entitled to the same job they had when employers must consider the proposal and their leave to keep themselves up to date
36 11.09.2009
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