Helping Mums Back into the Workplace

Over the past year, how we work has been turned upside down due to the global pandemic. Many workers who would previously have never dreamed of working from home now couldn’t ever comprehend stepping foot back into the office – at least permanently.

Social restrictions have taught us that we can remain productive from home if needs be, although many others have found that working from home can be lonely. Working mums, especially single mums, have benefitted from not having to pay out for expensive childcare costs while they go out to work. In many cases, their salary merely subsidises the costs of childcare, which leaves many mums wondering where it is worth going to work in the first place.

Now that the world is slowly getting back to normal, more and more businesses are welcoming workers back on site. This isn’t good news for everyone and mums, who have become accustomed to not having to seek childcare (and the additional finances that brings), but the extra time with their children, may be reluctant to go.

So, how can businesses support mums when it comes to going back into the workplace?

Be Flexible

The rigid 9-5 working pattern doesn’t work for everyone, especially many mothers, who either have to pay expensive fees for childcare or be on hand for the school run (and yes, the same can also be said for fathers). Flexible working patterns allow for parents to continue to go to work, earning an income, while also being there for their children. If a job doesn’t fit around their children, a parent is only ever going to choose their children over their job, which may leave a business without a very talented employee they could have easily retained.

Businesses have to offer support for anyone, not just mums, and by doing so they can increase productivity in the workplace. The more members of staff that can come to work, without having to worry about outside responsibilities, the better the overall performance will be.

Coming Back after Maternity Leave

Maternity leave is a special time for any mother, as it provides the time for mum and baby to bond. In many cases, mother’s can take up to a year’s worth of maternity leave, with varying rates of pay depending on how far into their leave they are. As maternity leave slowly comes to an end and the return to work draws ever close, mothers will experience a range of emotions from being excited to re-enter the workplace, to dreading leaving their child.

That’s all completely natural and employers have to recognise the range of emotions and extra responsibilities that mothers will be having. Many mothers prefer not to return to the same hours as they were before they had their baby, either because they cannot guarantee childcare during certain hours or because they simply want more time to nurture their children.

If a mother does not feel that she has the support of her employer, this will contribute towards low morale and likely in her leaving her position. Of course, employers have to consider what is best for the business but making accommodations where possible will go a long way to maintaining harmony and maintaining staff retention rates.

Open Discussion

When welcoming anyone back to work, whether specifically a mother coming off maternity leave or any member of staff having worked from home throughout the pandemic, make sure to maintain an open dialogue. By creating a safe space where employees can air their concerns, employers can work through any issues that may arise, making for a better working environment.