RETURNING TO WORK AFTER MATERNITY LEAVE

RETURNING TO WORK AFTER MATERNITY LEAVE

WRITTEN BY KATE TRAEGER from MCMAHON SERVICES on behalf of the CCF SA women in Civil Committee

We are daughters, sisters, aunties, and for some of us, we become mothers at some point in our life. Returning to work after maternity leave is a transition, one that until recently, many people have taken for granted. Women returning to the workplace after some extended time off, can be difficult. You want to continue to manage motherhood, and also a career. Something that we can do very, very well with the right support. The Women in Civil Committee recently discussed how we can support our industry better.

In 2019, Harvard Business Review 1 published eight tips for returning to work, with a strong message around communication. Speak to your boss, speak with your co-workers, speak with your family. And most importantly, make time for your children and look after you! As women, we are strong, determined, and (for the most part) don’t let our vulnerability show. Returning to work after extended time off, is a time where we need to make sure that we communicate what is going on. And also for employers to ask the questions, check in on staff, and make sure that empathy and support are front of mind when transitioning back to work.

As additional support, the CCF SA Women in Civil Committee is proud to assist with the transition by providing one free ticket per CCF SA event to a parent who is currently on parental leave — and yes, this includes dads! If you have a staff member who is currently on leave, and see an event you think that they would like to attend, please email their details to the Women in Civil Committee at womenincivil@ccfsa.com.au. (T&Cs apply, first in first served basis!)

Over the coming months, we will also be putting together resources for both employers and parents for information on returning to work. After all, we are raising the next generation of our industry!

1 hbr.org/2019/08/how-to-return-to-work-after-taking-parental-leave