To not feel supported in my return to work?

[user1498912461]

I returned to work this week from a year off on maternity leave. There has been a lot of changes in the company in year I was off. Lots of staff have left, replaced by new members. When I started back I thought the manager would have greeted me and talked me through all the changes and introduced me to all the new starters (I barely knew anyone). I basically had to get on with it! It's a good job I am chatty and outgoing! Boss was in but didn't show her face all day. I was given no time to check my numerous emails and basically had to get on with it! I thought I would have a return to work interview or something?? Hmm.

That's pretty poor management.

That's shocking management. I am a manager and have just returned to work from maternity. I had a full 2.5 hour debrief meeting with my director and a catch up with what has happened and what the plans were moving forward.

I also held a full team meeting with my staff to see how they all were and to catch up on stuff.

If a member of my staff had gone on maternity I would of done the same to them.

Management has always been pretty poor. One of the reasons we have such a high turn over of staff

As much as it would be nice to have been welcomed back with open arms and made a fuss of, you are not a new starter! You know the ropes and you know your job, you don't have to be spoonfed. You said there's lots of new people if they are still being trained that can take up a lot of management time.

Did you do any KIT days?

Alicia555

It's not a matter of being welcomed back with 'open arms'. I've been a manager, and that's poor management. Lots of things may well have changed, and it's good practice to meet with anyone who has been absent for a long period.

Basically had to ask all the new starters about all the changes. Also, I thought I would have to do a risk assessment as if I was breastfeeding (I'm not) they would have to provide private areas etc

No, I didn't do any KIT days

Odd. Very odd. Despite not being a new starter, ( as a pp said!) a lot of things would have changed in a year. My husband had a return to work interview and catchup after 2 weeks off last year! A LOT can change in a year, with new systems, new procedures, new staff. I would question it to be honest. Maybe one manager or supervisor thinks another has done it IYSWIM.

By "new people" I mean new to me lol. Most have now been there nearly a year or six months

You are absolutely supposed to have a risk assessment done.

That's terrible management!

Is it a small company with sketchy HR policies?

No, it's a very large company

When I started back I thought the manager would have greeted me and talked me through all the changes and introduced me to all the new starters

Did you tell management that's what you wanted? They are not psychic. I cannot understand when people always say 'why didn't they do this, that, or the other?'. Unless people know what you want, they do not know what you want. You need to communicate.

Thats terrible management and i would document it OP to be on the safe side. You never know when the information will be handy i the future.

Yanbu. A year away, lots of changes. A little bit of re-induction would have been good. At the very least a meeting with your manager.

No, I didn't do any KIT days

Any reason? They're there to help avoid what you've experienced.

I did KIT days - teacher - and still
Wasn't given ANY support when I returned to work. The kids had to tell me some important things infant been told by colleagues! It felt awful.