Returning to work after having a baby is a challenge faced by many parents. The first weeks with a new baby can be exhausting and overwhelming. However, you can ease this transition with some planning and creating a support network at work and home, as well as managing your expectations. Follow these seven tips from experts and working parents to make your return to work after leave successful.
1. Calculate Available Leave Days Early
Most parents believe it is best to take as much leave as possible. Therefore, find out if you have paid leave from your employer and if you qualify for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for qualified employees. Recovery can take up to six weeks for mothers after giving birth, while recovery after a cesarean section may take longer. However, some women report experiencing ongoing pain for up to 12 months after giving birth.
Your eligibility for paid leave also depends on where you live and work. For example, eligible residents of New York State can receive paid family leave for up to 12 weeks at 67% of their salary. According to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 13% of private sector employees have access to paid parental leave. However, some employers offer leave benefits. For example, mothers working at Microsoft can take 20 weeks of fully paid leave, while all new parents can take 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
The company’s human resources department is the best source of information, said Daisy Dowling, founder and CEO of Workparent, a coaching, educational, and community-building company for working parents. In addition to the federal, state, and company leave benefits that you are entitled to, ask the HR department how much personal time you can add to extend your leave. But be sure to keep some leave days after your return in case you need to schedule pediatrician appointments or for other child-related reasons.
2. Start the Transition Before Your Anticipated Leave Date
Many dedicated and hardworking individuals plan to work until their due date. “The reality is that doesn’t always happen,” said Dowling.
For example, Tommy Shankland, PR manager at Skout’s Honor, a pet supply company, had his baby arrive a month early. “I was one day or two away from making the transition a lot easier. One day away from fewer questions and concerns,” Shankland said in an email to The Balance.
To avoid this scenario, you should start early. Find out how your work will be covered during your absence, introduce your colleagues to matters related to your work, and notify clients a few months before your expected leave date. “When all of that is in place early, if the baby arrives six weeks early, you won’t be in a bind or stressed,” said Dowling.
3. Communicate with Your Boss and Coworkers
“It’s your responsibility to control your story and set the pace” when planning your leave, said Dowling. For example, let your team know your plans to stay in touch during your leave, or to completely disconnect. Even if you aren’t working while at home, at least plan to send an email to your boss during your parental leave to check in.
You should also make your intentions clear for after your leave. For example, if you’re worried that your boss assumes you’ll want to slow down and may offer a promotion to someone else, Dowling provided this example you can use: “While I will be out from April to June, I am very excited about the opportunity to return to the team and work on ABC projects in the second half of the year. As previously discussed, I would like to be considered for a promotion.”
4.
Advance Planning for Care and Feeding Routine
After the baby is born, arrange for a gradual transition to your childcare plan. For example, if you have a nanny at home to watch the baby, start with a reduced schedule a few weeks before you return to work. The nanny can get to know your home and the baby’s feeding and sleeping times and other things.
If you are using an outside daycare, drop your child off a day or two early so you can practice the routine and know exactly what you need to prepare, on a day you are not going into the office.
Even if you do not start childcare early, Dowling encourages parents to do a “trial run” for their return from leave. “Get up and get ready as if you were going to work, get the baby ready, and head to your office. Even on the day of your return, you will have worked through the process from a practical perspective.”
5. Planning for Breastfeeding
If you choose to breastfeed, talk to your boss or HR department before your first day back to establish the proper breastfeeding protocols. By law, employers must allow working mothers to pump breast milk, according to the Break Time for Nursing Mothers law under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This includes reasonable break times and a private space, other than a bathroom, that is free from intrusion.
Gather all necessary supplies in advance, such as breast milk storage supplies and a portable breast pump. “I’m about six months into my breastfeeding journey and I wouldn’t have made it without one,” said Hilary Edwards, a Michigan mom and creative strategy director at Piper & Gold Public Relations, in an email to The Balance. “It has allowed me to stick to a regular pumping schedule no matter how my day looks.”
6. Returning to Work Part-Time
“I was lucky enough to work part-time for two weeks before fully transitioning back to full-time work,” Edwards said. “Initially, I wasn’t even sure I remembered how to do my job, and it took some time to get back up to speed. I took a lot of mental breaks,” she said.
You will have mixed feelings, not to mention a lack of sleep. “The realistic mental accounting is to think of your first two weeks back as a blending and acclimation period,” Dowling said. Put some good routines in place, meet with colleagues to discuss updates, and let clients know you are back.
7. Setting Boundaries Between Work and Personal Life
Depending on the company culture, some may assume you will devote all your attention to work after returning. But this is not realistic for many new parents. Be honest and open about the support and boundaries you need to be able to perform well at your job, and be specific, Dowling said.
For instance, employees who work from 7 AM to 3 PM might announce they will not check work email after 4 PM. Or you could request to reschedule a meeting time.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/essentials-for-moms-returning-to-work-3545153
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