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Original poster

Nice ways to welcome back employee after maternity leave

31 replies

dixieland1 · 14/03/2024 22:44

Hi all,

I have an employee returning to work from maternity leave in a couple of weeks, and I know how daunting it feels so I wanted to do something nice for her to welcome her back.

I’m going to book a team breakfast for the morning she’s back, and thought about getting her some flowers for her desk. Is that OTT? Does anyone have any other ideas?

I remember the day I returned from mat leave, my manager barely looked up from her computer when I walked in, they had put me on a different desk which was miles away from anyone, and I cried in the toilets 😂so I don’t want anyone to feel like that on my watch!

OP posts:
GoingRoundInOvals · 14/03/2024 22:46

My boss gave me a bottle of my favourite spirit and a card that said "thank god you're back"

made me smile :)

Artesia · 14/03/2024 22:47

I'd say it's way too much to arrange a breakfast for her first morning back. She might well be feeling anxious or emotional about leaving her baby. Making her the centre of attention, with lots of inevitable baby chat, might be really overwhelming. I'd have hated it, and much rather put my head down and focussed on work.

YellowLeavess · 14/03/2024 22:50

Making her the centre of attention, with lots of inevitable baby chat, might be really overwhelming.

Agreed, and it would be very insensitive towards any colleagues experiencing infertility or difficulties conceiving.

isitme111 · 14/03/2024 23:10

It might be enough to have an informal chat eg. how nice it is that she's back - and update her with any work changes etc.. I've never known of anyone to be welcomed back from maternity leave with a team breakfast and flowers - although a lovely idea it does seem OTT.

theduchessofspork · 14/03/2024 23:12

card and a bottle

flowers a bit OTT

breakfast she might find overwhelming and quite a few people would probably find it annoying -

mynameiscalypso · 14/03/2024 23:16

I can't think of anything worse than having a fuss made over me. Luckily I returned to work during lockdown so didn't have to see anyone in person for a while but I just wanted to get stuck in to work, have a wee in peace and have some adult conversations. You'll know your employee best though

Original poster
dixieland1 · 14/03/2024 23:16

Thanks all.

Bit of context - it’s only a catch-up in the team canteen for a coffee and breakfast for those who want it. Every morning we go down there as a team together so it’s not any different to that, but appreciate the comments.

Card and a bottle it is!

OP posts:
Unexpectedlysinglemum · 14/03/2024 23:42

That's so nice!!

Mumof1andacat · 14/03/2024 23:43

Time to make sure her log ons work and a decent handover. Regular ones to ones. To be made to feel valued and included not just as a employee but as a person.

benjoin · 16/03/2024 16:01

Keep it low key. She may just want to get through the first day. Perhaps consider letting them leave an hour early and putting a kit kat on her desk

Rosesanddaisies1 · 16/03/2024 16:09

Get all her emails deleted since she’s been off…. 😂
but I wouldn’t make a big fuss. Make sure you meet to catch up, but don’t make it about the baby. Unfair if others are struggling with fertility or miscarriage

Blanketpolicy · 16/03/2024 16:16

I hate all the touchy feely stuff, but you will know her best. A team meeting centred around me would be my idea of hell! I would much prefer to catch up with people individually.

For me practical support was appreciated much more. Having a chat and saying they would be flexible until I found my feet back in the workplace with a young child now at nursery, they had sorted out all my expired system access, removed any accumulated junk from my desk, so I was set and ready to go, a proper catch up on what I missed when away and a plan for the first few weeks to ease me back in.

benjoin · 16/03/2024 16:17

Rosesanddaisies1 · 16/03/2024 16:09

Get all her emails deleted since she’s been off…. 😂
but I wouldn’t make a big fuss. Make sure you meet to catch up, but don’t make it about the baby. Unfair if others are struggling with fertility or miscarriage

Also unfair on the employee who might be in "work mode" you're employing them as a member of staff not a mum

Watchthedoormat · 16/03/2024 16:22

So there's a team breakfast every morning anyway?
Is it booked every morning?

A card and chocolate would be best.
She may not be drinking.

SevenSeasOfRhye · 16/03/2024 16:25

In my experience, the worst thing for returning mat leavers is that invariably they find they can't log into the system, then their email is still disabled, then they can't access the key files they need ... if you can make sure she can sit down, log in, and, away she goes on catch up, that would be a great welcome for her.

ColouringPencils · 16/03/2024 16:28

Just to say you sound like a lovely, caring manager, @dixieland1!

EndlesslyDistracted · 16/03/2024 16:41

I too got shunted to a desk miles away and hated it. But I wouldn't have wanted any fuss, no cards or flowers, definitely not a bottle, I've barely touched alcohol since having my DCs. Just a catch up with what's been happening and list of things that need to be read and followed up on, any training etc. And allow time for chatting with colleagues whether over breakfast or just throughout the day it's important to catch up personally as well as professionally.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 16/03/2024 16:58

Just make sure all her network acces, email etc is working

RidingMyBike · 16/03/2024 17:04

The flowers and breakfast seem a bit OTT. I'd have hated the breakfast personally - would have made me feel overwhelmed!

Don't assume how she might be feeling - some women are sad about leaving their baby, exhausted and not sure about return, others only too pleased to be back at work.

I came back, line manager on leave, couldn't even get into my office for a day as my ID card had been disabled!

I'd make sure she has space/time in the day to catch up with people. Maybe suggest going for a coffee? Presumably she's already said about things like work timings with childcare drop offs and if she needs somewhere to express.

lavagal · 16/03/2024 17:14

Card with nice words, bottle of something nice and the reassurance on a one to one chat that you are there to support. To often companies give the impression they are there and supportive but they aren't! On this occasion your words and sincerity will be worth millions to her

DinnaeFashYersel · 16/03/2024 17:14

Sounds lovely.

The main thing is to make sure you have time to spend with her getting her up to speed.

Ask her in advance what she'd like.

There's a lot of assumptions on this thread. For every shy person who is distraught at leaving baby there's another outgoing person raring to get cracking.

MissLC · 16/03/2024 17:30

dixieland1 · 14/03/2024 22:44

Hi all,

I have an employee returning to work from maternity leave in a couple of weeks, and I know how daunting it feels so I wanted to do something nice for her to welcome her back.

I’m going to book a team breakfast for the morning she’s back, and thought about getting her some flowers for her desk. Is that OTT? Does anyone have any other ideas?

I remember the day I returned from mat leave, my manager barely looked up from her computer when I walked in, they had put me on a different desk which was miles away from anyone, and I cried in the toilets 😂so I don’t want anyone to feel like that on my watch!

My first day back from maternity was exactly like yours was! I also cried in the toilets and all the way home. It didn't get any better for 18 months so I left and gave a new job with management who actually seem to care about the staff. My mental health has greatly improved!

I think a staff breakfast is a lovely idea and maybe, if you can, letting her leave a little early if she wants to.

Even though my daughter had been either at nursery or with grandparents for a few weeks before me going back to work I was so desperate to get back to her and so even finishing an hour early would have been such a weight off on my first day back.

ExcitingRicotta · 16/03/2024 17:36

dixieland1 · 14/03/2024 22:44

Hi all,

I have an employee returning to work from maternity leave in a couple of weeks, and I know how daunting it feels so I wanted to do something nice for her to welcome her back.

I’m going to book a team breakfast for the morning she’s back, and thought about getting her some flowers for her desk. Is that OTT? Does anyone have any other ideas?

I remember the day I returned from mat leave, my manager barely looked up from her computer when I walked in, they had put me on a different desk which was miles away from anyone, and I cried in the toilets 😂so I don’t want anyone to feel like that on my watch!

Really lovely ideas!

Even if she is missing her baby (although let’s remember this is not the only way to feel when returning to work!) a catch up and food with some friendly colleagues sounds like the perfect t distraction and ease in - don’t agree with people saying it’s too much focus on her, as long as you’re not expecting an ‘I’m back!’ speech!

Id be surprised if a bottle of spirits is the most appreciated thing…

toodledo · 16/03/2024 18:17

Oh I wish I'd had someone like you when returning from mat leave. Regular check ins, ask how you are and how you're coping with the new balance, and ask if there's anything more you can do to support them. Keep checking in.

toodledo · 16/03/2024 18:19

And you could always ask if she'd like to have a team breakfast, she might be up for it. I would have loved some recognition that I was back - I was utterly ignored!

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