To worry about 2 year career break?

[Jadefeather7]

I’m currently on mat leave and pregnant (unplanned). I work in the legal field in the city. Will likely only go back for a few weeks if at all and then be back on mat leave again. I feel really worried about the impact it will have on my career to have two years out. I will likely need to apply for another job when I return as my company is going through a lot of changes and I can’t see my team staying there much longer. Has anyone else taken two years out? Did you find it really difficult going back?

My sister took over a year and when she returned was told it was a nuisance having employees off work for maternity leave by her boss. Another consultant who had come in to rearrange the team told her she had only taken 3 months and a year or more was ridiculous. Then shortly after my sister was told she could no longer do the role she’d Done for 10 years because the hours didn’t work (they obviously did) and would have to do less senior work. She left shortly after that and had been happily freelance ever since.

It depends on your team and relationships but i would say join the union, keep your eye out and have a plan b.