Deflated after returning to work from mat leave - career change needed or premature?

[Ohreallyreally]

I returned from maternity leave a few weeks ago - to a job i used to love - i HATE it.

It's not that i'm away from my child, that doesn't bother me too much because they're only in nursery for a few days and with family the rest. I just feel pushed out of the team, I've had career building projects taken off me and given to my maternity replacement who has stayed to do another role, and i'm left picking up all the work my replacement did do (which is basically the entire years worth of tasks I left scheduled!).

Returning was difficult as my Manager wasn't keen on me reducing my days by the smallest amount, and they've made some comments to other members of the team that make me feel like they're pissed off that HR accepted my flexible working request.

I just feel deflated and that i've lost an entire year of my career during which everyone else in the team has progressed, but I haven't.

My role is random, I don't finish my undergrad degree until the end of this year and I have no real vocational qualification - I landed a series of niche roles, which whilst they have transferable skills, isn't really a job outside of my industry without other qualifications and skills that I don't have. I feel like my role is pointless and unneeded, and as an extension I feel like that.

I have lots of emotions right now, and I feel like I need a career change but unsure what, but then i feel guilty as realistically i cannot afford the £20K+ drop to go back to a £20K career starting salary, as i'm the main income earner.

Please tell me this lost feeling is just a natural part of returning to work? Will it fade once i'm settled, or is a new career really the best option for me?

I'm so sorry it doings like you're feeling totally let down by your workplace.

I wouldn't rush into anything. It doesn't sound like a career change is really practical. Will there be opportunities to pick up extra more interesting work now you're back?

When you say flexible working, do you mean part time or more flexible full time hours. If it’s part time, then you are on the mummy track and it shouldn’t be hard to see why career building opportunities are given to full timers. If it’s full time, then you can try building the confidence of the rest of the team back? A lot of full time working mothers still will go for less demanding hours. For example, I do not want to spend my evenings working, or travel for days away from home for work. I still want to attend sports days and assemblies. If you will be putting in the hours, then you need to show it.

Also, they will be thinking you will be taking another maternity leave soon. Most of us don’t have only one child.

It is systematic discrimination but it’s how it is. I know some will post about going to HR. But hang in there and show you are serious about the promotions if you mean it.

Also, wait till the end of the year when you finish your degree. Don’t rush to any decisions.