Tips for Navigating Workplace After Maternity Leave

Post maternity leave is challenging for new moms who have to transit from providing full-time attention to the child to focusing on work again. It is a phase that requires empathetic management than stringent company policies to assists the female employees in getting acquainted with the change.

Supporting female employees post maternity leave is a morale obligation that every company should consider to enhance employee relation and built a robust work culture . However, adapting to the change smoothly is a crucial step to be improvised by you through adequate self-care and planning.

If you’re a new mom or mom-to-be who is wondering how to balance both professional personal commitments after maternity leave, then we have a few tips for you to ease your journey and transition smoothly into this new phase of life while maintaining harmony between your career and motherhood.

7 Realistic Tips for Navigating Workplace after Maternity Leave

Here are 7 essential and reliable tips to support you on your journey through motherhood while excelling in your professional career:

1. Plan Ahead

Make strategic planning of balancing the work and family hours by communication with your family to support you in this time of transit. Share experiences and seek advice from colleagues or friends who have navigated similar transitions and plan your post maternity joining in accordance. Furthermore, you can also communicate with your company management for flexible work arrangement policies (if applicable in your company policies) for work-life balance .

2. Set Realistic Expectations

Don’t stress yourself to return in full-fledge enthusiasm and energy after the maternity leave. Take time to adjust to the change and do not shy away from denying for extra working hours. Focus on high prioritized tasks and schedule the others in accordance. It is crucial that you make your work checklist and work accordingly to avoid confusion or burnout.

3. Prioritize Self-care amp; Set Boundaries

Ensure that you get enough of sleep, nutritious food on time and break-time in office to rejuvenate and stay healthy. Prioritizing health will help you return to your own self gradually and will also provide you physical energy to stay active.

4. Communicate & Seek Support

Communicate with your management regarding flexible work hours or time for pumping if you’re breastfeeding and other help if required. Also, seek support from other colleagues or managers who have transit through the same phase or has not. Keep your colleagues informed about your availability and any temporary adjustments to your workload (if required).

5. Embrace Flexibility

Try to embrace flexibility on challenging days at office. Go slow and stay vigilant about your health while focusing on work in the extra working hours. Stay connected with your family and seek help to take care of your child in the challenging days at profession. However, avoid working for prolonged hours if not necessary.

6. Rebuild confidence

Rebuild your confidence gradually without hasting to regain it. Stay calm and focused in work while accomplishing manageable tasks to regain confidence in your professional abilities.

7. Celebrate Progress

Celebrate your little wins that you accomplish in your professional or personal space. Little things give great happiness and help in regaining confidence. So, don’t shy away from giving yourself slightest of credits to manage both motherhood and work exceptionally.

Rise to the Occasion

Balancing motherhood and work come with its challenges, but it’s a journey worth every effort. Motherhood brings you the “joy of the world”, while your career” opens doors to a world of joy”. The key steps requiring your focus during this phase include self-care and mental well-being, which can be nurtured through practices like meditation, sufficient sleep, and healthy eating habits. Reach out for support from family and colleagues, and don’t hesitate to share your concerns or challenges, whether personal or professional. After all, a little help can go a long way. So, ladies, step up, embrace the journey of motherhood, rise to the occasion and continue to thrive in your career.