5 Tips On How To Return To Work After Taking Parental Leave

Tips on how to handle the transition from work from home to physically going to work post a long parental leave

Transitioning back to work after a long parental leave is not an easy task. You’ve not only been out of the flow of the office for weeks or months, but you are also returning as a different person with new priorities and concerns running around your head. At this time, we cannot ignore the stress and strain of endless new logistics currently going around. It’s jarring and often overwhelming.

So we shall give you some valuable insights on how can you make your first few weeks back in the office as smooth as possible. Thoughts like are it better to ease back slowly or to jump right in? will clutter your mind. Additionally, How should you manage your relationships with your boss and coworkers with the added responsibility you possess? Perhaps the most important question to answer is, where can you turn to get the emotional support and encouragement you need during this time?

1. First things first: Be Sympathetic to yourself

We recommend you try not to pour your emotional anxiety at the workplace in the first two to three weeks of joining back. Your life has changed dramatically and hence you may tend to be overwhelmed and overjoyed in the different working environment. You cannot run away from the fact that you will be tired, frustrated, and full of self-doubt maybe even, conflicted about whether to return to work or stay at home. Did you know, most mothers come back from parental leave and consider quitting their jobs. But just because you’re overwork or worried at the moment doesn’t mean you will be forever. It’s an emotional time that is volatile in nature and changes with time. Remind yourself that it’s too early to draw conclusions. Don’t ignore your feelings, but bear in mind that, just like the ages and stages of your new child, this too shall pass. Hence, we suggest don’t be too hard on yourself, let this phase pass.

2. Consider half-days / 3 times a week working schedule:

It’s will be a great idea to go back slowly instead of starting a full workday from day 1. Consider a part-time joining or a half-day working pattern to start with. This will not allow you time to schedule a full workday in the future but also gradually allow your newborn to understand that you cannot be around him/her all the time. After a part-time/half-day schedule is approved for 1 month or so, you can consider full working days, but we still recommend you try and strike a deal of working 3 times a week. Again, this allows you to judge how you can manage and multitask these 2 responsibilities at the same time.

3. Be transparent and set expectations at work:

Maybe not on your first day back, but at some point, you need to have an honest and up-front conversation with your boss and your colleagues. Let us warn you, the first few weeks may be bumpy, you may feel the need to sulk it out in a room as your emotions will be all over the place. At the same time, you need to make it clear that you are fully committed to your job and organization. Sit down and discuss with your top management about what they need from you in the coming months and how you both together can make it work best. Also, discuss projects you’d like to be considered and work-related travel trips you are comfortable with. Be candid and realistic about what can be accomplished in your first few weeks and months back on the job.

On the other hand, you also need to set expectations with colleagues. We urge you to enter the workplace with a clear idea of what your schedule and plans are, not allowing others to make assumptions. Communication on expectations is just not critical but also essential. Be very open about how and when you will work. Make your schedule predictable and planned to leave no scope for misassumptions. For instance, if you intend to leave the workplace at the dot of 5 pm, then people will know not to come by your office at 4:59 PM wanting to talk.

4. Do few practice runs before joining:

Returning from parental leave often involves executing an additional set of complicated logistics. Start with the basics: make sure, the first day you go back to work shouldn’t be the first day your baby goes to daycare or stays home with a new nanny. We suggest, doing at least a few practice drop-offs or asking your nanny to start a week early. Getting your newborn used to the process and accustomed to the caregiver is critical to ensure you don’t have a tough time at work.

Dry runs are not only needed for the child but will prove extremely beneficial to you as a parent too. Begin with, getting up in the morning, take a shower, put on your work clothes, feed the baby, take her to daycare, grab on some healthy breakfast, and drive to the office. Then literally turn right back around.

5. Have dedicated child playtime and communicate about it:

As you’re getting back into the swing of work, think about how you will spend time with your child Try and schedule it well by asking yourself these questions, Will it be in the morning? In the evenings? Mostly on weekends? This is critical for mothers who are working long hours or travel far for work. You need to dedicate the most energetic and rewarding time of the day to your child.

Do’s and Don'ts in a nutshell:

Do:

  1. Resist taking your emotional temperature during your first few weeks back on the job. Returning to work after parental leave is a process.
  2. Make your schedule as predictable as possible and communicate your plans to your colleagues. But understand that adjustments may be needed along the way.
  3. Seek out support and encouragement from other parents at work.

Don’t:

  1. Make the first day you go back to work the first day your child goes to a new caregiver. Do practice runs to get you and your child accustomed to the situation.
  2. Be shy about asking for flexibility if it will help you do your job better. Speak up for what you need.
  3. Assume that you will be the same professional you were pre-baby. Instead, think about how to modify your best attributes to suit your new life.

Summarizing:

Returning to work after being home with a new baby is a transition that’s like no other. Everything is so volatile and unpredictable - from your practical day-to-day schedule, to your new responsibilities as a parent, to your identity in terms of how you’ve seen yourself your entire adult life. At first, you may be extremely against the idea of leaving your child to resume work. Or you may even feel guilty about your decision to go back to work in the first place. Believe us, all of this is normal. Resuming work post a long parental break has always been a challenge, and there’s no perfect way to do it. In such a situation it will be a good idea to read up on tips to handle a child’s crankiness and understanding baby signs of discomfort for a smoother and more planned transition from home to the workplace.

License: You have permission to republish this article in any format, even commercially, but you must keep all links intact. Attribution required.