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Original poster

Phased/graduated return to work after Maternity Leave

15 replies

runjumpclimbswim · 04/01/2012 20:33

I was wondering if anyone else has done a phased or gradual return to work? If so does anyone have any advice on what rate is best? Meaning, would it be best to ask for 2 days a week for 2 weeks, then 3 days for 3 weeks etc working up to full time over a few months? I want to wean myself onto work and know that going back at 100% to start off with won't work for me, and I will be less productive!

I've read that this is possible but wanted to have some good references for HR when I propose it and haven't found much about it online!

Advice/experience/reference appreciated!

OP posts:
catsareevil · 04/01/2012 20:37

How would you do it? I know some people who used annual leave to be effectively part-time for the first few weeks.

Original poster
runjumpclimbswim · 04/01/2012 20:58

I think I'd like to go back for 2 days for the first few weeks, then 3 days, building up to 4 days (not going back fulltime). So I suppose building up over 3 months if possible. I'd just take a cut in pay rather than using holiday...

OP posts:
Erac · 04/01/2012 22:06

Maybe as part of the plan, find a win-win such as use KIT days to do 2 days a week for a few weeks before your official return? That way, the company gets you a little earlier than anticipated and you both are sharing the burden of your phased return.

Personally, I'd try to keep it as simple as possible. The acceptability of this depends on the company culture and the nature of the role. I suggest finding a way to frame it so that it's going to benefit the company.

Original poster
runjumpclimbswim · 04/01/2012 22:19

Thanks Erac, I agree. I think the point is that I don't think I'll be able to get back into the swing of work while not worrying about my little one being in childcare 100% straight off. So my thought is that if I were there 100% of the time, I wouldn't be terribly productive. I think it would be easier for me and better value for my employer to pay me for less time and for me to concentrate fully for shorter amounts of time...does that make sense?

I am also considering doing mornings for 4 days rather than 2 full days, or something like that, so that I wasn't away from my little one for so long at a go to start off with. Any thoughts?

OP posts:
An0therName · 04/01/2012 22:23

remember you have accured holiday while you away so it can be a win/win to use it this way - I did the first month 2 days a week then went back 3 days
I know someone that did change her contract for a couple of months but she had a very accomadating boss at the time

catsareevil · 04/01/2012 22:23

Will your childcare fit in with a phased return to work or will you have to pay for the full space straight away?

If you could utilise KIT or annual leave at least it wouldnt cost you anything (and might be more tempting to your employer, as it will be easier from an admin point of view).

MamaChocoholic · 04/01/2012 22:33

I did 3 days/week for the first 3 months using annual leave. It worked well. I think 2 days is not enough for a young child to settle in nursery. I was off for a couple of weeks during that time though after each bout of d&v they picked up from nursery, so factor that in too.

tbh, it was hard to keep up with my job on 3 days. I am 5 days now, but think 4 might be the ideal work/life balance if I can swing it.

Original poster
runjumpclimbswim · 04/01/2012 23:20

MamaChocoholic - would you recommend half days or do you think thats more disruptive for the baby (lo will be 1 yr by then)?

OP posts:
OneLittleBabyGirl · 05/01/2012 11:26

My company offers a phased return of part time for two months. So I did 3 days/week for two months, and the back to full time. It's a very good way to ease myself back to the rat race. It's such a shock to the system to have to get up in the morning, dress both myself and the LO, and actually stay alert at my desk. Will highly recommend it if it's available to you.

Original poster
runjumpclimbswim · 05/01/2012 11:50

Thanks, OneLittleBabyGirl, I've not been able to find much online about it so its great to hear you've done it and it works!

OP posts:
MamaChocoholic · 05/01/2012 19:00

I guess half days could work well (shorter days to be left) but there's also the issue that you will be doing more leaving, and that seems to be the worst part of it. Also, what time does your dc nap? when ds1 was doing half days, he'd either fall asleep 20 mins before we picked him up, and then be awake but super grumpy for the rest of the day, or he'd be kept awake, and fall asleep in the car, where I'd have to sit for 2 hours. We switched to whole days so he could get a proper naps and it worked better for us. But your dc may be different!

Original poster
runjumpclimbswim · 05/01/2012 21:36

Thanks for your comments. This is why I am so unsure about what I even what at this point. My lo is 9 months now and I wouldn't have known 3 months ago what his 'best' time of day was or how long he'd nap for. I think long afternoon naps are sort of standard so I think I'll aim to get done with work for 4.30 so I have time to have an evening meal with him and my OH...its just a lot to consider and juggle eh?

OP posts:
bessie26 · 06/01/2012 02:52

Can you get your DS settled nto nursery a few weeks before you return to work? That way you won't have to worry so much about it when you do return to work & you have time to practice your drop off/pick up routine!

I hope to have DD2 in nursery a month before I go back to work. I figure this will also give me time to sort the house out & go shopping for some new work clothes!

HappyAsASandboy · 06/01/2012 07:01

I did a mixture of the things suggested here.

I started doing short settling in sessions at nursery 6 weeks before I went back to work.
I used annual leave to work 3 days one week, 4 days the next (i.e a 7 day fortnight) for the first two months.
I am now still using annual leave to work 4 days a week and will have been at work 8 months or ao before I'll have used all the accrued annual leave/bank holidays.

On top of this, my mum has my DTs one or two days a week. I have no idea whether that's an option for you, bit I think that's the thing that helped me far far more than the part-time-with-annual-leave thing. I really like the nursery and don't theink there's a better option out there for us at the moment, but I angst more relaxed at work when I know the babies are in their own home with my mum. Could you ask your mum/MIL to take DC one day a week for you for a limited time (maybe two months?)

MaidenDevon · 06/01/2012 15:59

I returned to work 4 days a week last August when DD was 12 months. Settling in periods at first nursery were a disaster (awful sep anxiety/not eating/sleeping) and I ended up changing nursery the week before I was due back at work - gut instinct told me it wasn't right. Cue lots of angst/handwringing/anguish on my part but we got it sorted and couldn't have been happier with the nursery we ended up with.

Work agreed for me to do half days using holiday for a fortnight before going onto full days (still only 9.30am to 4pm), which worked well. That way DD got used to going to nursery each day rather than having many days between without nursery which would have unsettled her more.

How do you think your DC will be with leaving possibly 5 days between going to nursery? Are they good with strangers/unfamiliar surroundings or like my DD prone to bouts of hysteria if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction? You need to consider that they will be getting into a new routine as well as you (hugs - it's hard Smile)

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