In reality, it's not the same at all...

Returning to work after maternity leave.

I am really fortunate that my company, Corndel , has been incredibly supportive in my return to work after a year on maternity leave. Especially, as I am in fact going back on maternity leave in May this year. Whilst (almost) back-to-back maternities is far from ideal for any company to manage, (and a bit of a surprise to our family – 2 under 2, send help!), it has really shown me the integrity and kindness of the people I work with.

Returning to work has been a rollercoaster. Going from being a full-time mum, to a full-time employee, is a lot.

I am not coming back the same person who left. That person would have been in the thick of any social situation and wanted to get everywhere at break-neck speed.

Now, I am wary of time. I want to get home to kiss our daughter goodnight.

I have much more patience, but at the same time, have no time for time wasters.

I am even more driven to succeed but I am so much more realistic in my expectations of myself, and others.

I have a new sense of purpose, yet to be very honest, feel a little lost with it all.

I am different.

But so is Corndel.

So many times, I have heard "It’s the same Corndel!", but in reality, it isn’t the same at all.

Yes, the fundamentals are the same and thanks to the exceptionally high employee retention rates here, majority of the people are the same, but so much progress has been made, perhaps without people realising it.

Whilst you are in the thick of it, you might not notice the many changes going on around you, but 12months is a long time! It may just be a new process (or many) that has been introduced, or a fancy new system has been put in place. Small things that might seem day-to-day after a while and, although they have bettered our ways of working significantly, it is something new for me to learn.

Maybe it is couple of new starters each month, new team structures, or a new, bigger office, all of which seem natural as you go through them but are signs of growth and expansion across the organisation which is fantastic, but at the same time is quite daunting to come back in to.

Or perhaps it is smashing targets and achievement rates, launching new products and programmes, new partnerships and business focusses – so many things to be proud of and to celebrate, and so many reminders that work very much continues and moves on without you.

Maybe it takes stepping away for a year (well, soon to be two years) to see just how much has happened. I very much appreciate that the heart of Corndel and the people who work here are the same kind, considerate, and welcoming group as when I went on maternity leave last January. However, where we are now as an organisation, and where we will be in 14months time when I back again, is something very different indeed.

Being too honest, it is all a little scary and sometimes overwhelming trying to get up to speed and feel part of it all again, especially knowing that I am about to go back on leave for another year and things will continue to change significantly.

It is also exciting though.

It feels like a time of opportunity. A time of figuring out my place at work and where I can add the most value. Maybe it’s not something to be answered before May, but hopefully, something I can embrace fully next year…assuming we survive 2 under 2 that is!