The return to work for new mothers can be daunting. Natalie Marsh reports on travel companies that champion keep-in-touch days, induction refreshers and flexible working


Flexible working can reduce work and home-life stress for new mothers


H


aving a baby is wonderful but it does bring a lot of baggage,” says Olga Kelly, mother


of a 20-month-old and head of people and talent at Te Advantage Travel Partnership. “A lot of other stuff starts coming to the surface.” One in seven mothers suffer from


postnatal depression, according to the Pandas Foundation, which supports and advises those experiencing perinatal mental illness (during pregnancy or up to a year aſter the birth). Te foundation says half of these episodes begin during pregnancy, but some can be experienced up to a year aſter birth. Kelly did not suffer from postnatal


depression, but she says: “Tat doesn’t mean you’re OK. Tere’s a whole suite of stuff in the middle that mothers go through that people don’t talk about.”


Returning to work Te return to work aſter maternity leave can be daunting. New challenges, such as navigating


16 10 OCTOBER 2019


People sometimes


struggle with juggling being at work full time and giving [their] all to home life


childcare, juggling work and home life, and adjusting back to the working environment, can be much harder if the new parent is experiencing symptoms of postnatal depression. “Returning to work with


undiagnosed postnatal depression or any other perinatal mental health illness can also have a huge impact on atitude towards work and commitment, and further stress can then build up combining work with parenthood,” says Annie Belasco, head of PR, fundraising and the helpline at Pandas Foundation. However, it’s not black and


white. If someone hasn’t officially been diagnosed, it doesn’t mean they find adjusting to being a parent,


or returning to work, easy. “Returning to work can


sometimes become overwhelming for parents with anxiety around their children being leſt with another person during the day and not being able to respond immediately in a crisis because of work rules and commitments,” says Belasco. Another aspect that new


parents have to consider is finding a compromise between home and work that suits them. “People sometimes struggle with


the balance and the juggling of being at work full time and being great at that while also giving [their] all to home life,” says Natalie Turner, head of retail branches at Midcounties Co-operative Travel. Recognising signs can be


invaluable. “A lot of colleagues don’t necessarily even recognise that [the new parent] is suffering from postnatal depression,” says Turner. “It’s about recognising signs that


these colleagues might be struggling because they don’t always share anxiety issues.”


Employers’ support Some firms in the travel industry have policies and schemes in place to help ease employees into a new routine. Flight Centre sends employees an


information pack before they return. “It’s a booklet full of information including flexible working requests and holidays,” says Carmel Jeavons- Wright, Flight Centre’s diversity and inclusion champion. It also points them to other areas of support, including the company’s employee assistance helpline. Flexible working is one such


policy that can help take away some of the worry and stress of having to mould home life around work. “Flexible working is a strong way


NEED HELP? If you, or someone you know, has been affected by a mental health issue and need help, contact the Samaritans free of charge on 116 123.


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HEALTH MATTERS


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