How did your job approach your return from maternity leave?

[Sesame2011]

Looking to see what is "normal".

Ive just returned from mat leave, having 10 months off. I work in finance in a risk role. The first day was fine as it was just setting up new laptop and deleting emails. Since I've been gone my company has taken over another company which involves a completely different type of finance that I've never worked before, also comes with a plethora of different systems and policies. I watched my colleague complete 2 tasks last week and then was told to "jump in feet first". Ive been in tears yesterday and today as I know nothing, not even which system I should be using for what.

Should my manager have planned a more structured return. Such as investing time with proper re-training, having a buddy. Maybe as if I was a new joiner? Or am I asking too much?

This would be what they/you should have used the “Keeping in touch” days for. But absent those, I’d be talking to my line manager and asking for the training everyone else would have got when the switch was made.

Agree with PP, I think you need to ask for what you need. I don’t think they should be treating you like a new employee. It’s very weird going back from maternity - initially I couldn’t remember where things were but it didn’t take long before I was back in the swing. Maybe a few days. Admittedly there weren’t any changes as big as you’ve described but I would just advocate for yourself and proactively communicate what you think you need.