How to navigate the workplace after maternity leave

Coming back to work after maternity leave can be an emotional and stressful time. Not only are you dealing with leaving your child during the day, but there’s the added pressure of adjusting to changes in your workplace that have occurred while you were gone and the need to keep performing in your job after you’ve undergone some significant changes yourself.

Plus – you’re a mom! That means additional financial pressures on top of everything else.

We’ve rounded up the very best tips from working moms across the internet to help make your adjustment just that much easier.

Know your rights

One of the most significant needs for moms can be a lactation room. If you’re going to keep breastfeeding after you go back to work (every mom makes her own decision on this based on what’s best for her and her child) then make sure your employer has designated a safe place for you to pump. This can be an office with a lock on it or an unused private room. Call your HR department in advance to find out what their accommodations are and help them work with you to think of solutions if they don’t already have some in place.

A “returning from maternity leave” letter

Not every workplace requires this, and in most cases it’s just a formality, but you may want to make sure your supervisor and HR department receive a letter that outlines when you’ll be returning from your maternity leave and your proposed schedule upon return. This could just be a polite email or, if you work in a very formal environment, may be a signed letter. In any case, help keep the lines of communication clear by establishing all the essential details about your return in writing.

Daycare and medical information

It’s a good idea to have copies of all your child’s daycare, school and medical information on hand with you at work in case you’re ever called about a sick or injured child and need details. Important medical forms, your pediatrician’s name and contact information and your child’s health care number are all useful to have on you in a file at your place of work. Also, photocopy the medical forms required by the daycare or school so you have backups of those as well.

Ask your boss the right questions

When you return from maternity leave you might be tempted to jump in right away and restart where you left off, but make sure you schedule time to meet with your boss and ask the right questions about what’s happened in your time away. What changes occurred while you were gone? Are there new priorities for the company or your department? What are some options for a flexible work schedule that you can pursue? Asking all of these questions off the bat will make your transition back to work that much easier.

Tackle your personal finances

Research shows that employee performance decreases when they’re worried about financial pressures. With a new human in the house to care for moms have a lot of financial pressure. One way to lift the burden is to get a Moms Savings Account from Cashco. With matched monthly savings you can get $120 of free money annually. That can go a long way in lifting those burdens or in preparing for your child’s future! The less stressed you are with your finances and how you’ll provide month-to-month, the better you’ll be at work.