Feeling overlooked at work after returning part-time from maternity leave

[Obviouslyanxiousmum]

Just wondering if anyone’s been in a similar position and what they’ve done/any advice!

I came back from mat leave late last year, and returned on a part time basis. Since then I feel constantly forgotten about - constantly left out of email chains, not invited to meetings etc. It’s made me feel even more out of the loop and disconnected from my work as I’m not always aware of whats going on or the latest status on projects.

It’s making it hard for me to take ownership of tasks and deliver visible pieces of work. I think as a result, seniors think I’m underperforming. But the issue is, we’re not a terribly busy team anyway and all the work seems to get allocated to full time employees over me.

I make myself available to everyone and try to be an active team member but I feel like my confidence has taken a HUGE knock.

I was a high achiever and super career focussed pre-baby, and even though I’m not wanting to climb the ladder anymore I’m just feeling so overlooked. I even had a little cry at my desk today. I feel stuck as now I work part-time compressed hours I’d probably struggle to find another role with that level of flexibility but I’m starting to feel like my face no longer fits.

Sounds like you need a chat with your line manager.

Get your heads together and see how to solve this.

Maybe the structure of your hours is making you less visible? When I came back after mat leave my manger said I needed to be in on a Monday and a friday as it made people feel I was there all week. I think she was probably right.

Its very hard balancing childcare /commute costs and part time work but different arrangements have different impacts at work. I found doung 5 short days had the least impact, especially if i was there at the start of the day - but it was the most expensive.

I have and its very much been a ‘sorry you feel that way’ kind of chat with no resolution. 😣

I think my problem is i’m there tues-thurs which is what work suggested initally. I’m trying to work out how feasible 3.5 days would be for me, would mean DD just doing an additional half day at nursery, and could potentially help my career a bit. I’m also wfh about 90% of the time, with most of my other colleagues being based in an office at the other end of the country, which doesnt help!

Working only 3 days and mostly from home means you’re not visible. Out of sight, out of mind.

I think this is my problem, I’ve tried everything to be visible. Contribute in team meetings, volunteer to organise and help out where I can etc, but I’m never going to be the person helping with a last minute deadline on a Friday afternoon or catching up on how my weekends been on a Monday.

Not sure there’s much more I can do other than change my working pattern!

I would imagine most of your colleagues being based in the same office while you are wfh is likely to be more the reason than part time. you simply won't be part of the team in the way that the rest are.

Every time you are missed off an email where you should have been included, say "can you make sure you copy me in on emails about xyz in the future, please". Repeat every single time until people remember. Every time a meeting is mentioned ask to be included. Ask if meetings can be rescheduled if they are on one of your non working days. Basically push yourself forward at every opportunity.

If you could at least try be 'in" on Monday i think it would really help. Even if you still looked for work that fitted your childcare better also.

I think Tues, wed, thurs is kind of the worst pattern in a way. As you say, you miss the start and end - especially with mainly wfh.

My initial work pattern ended up Monday, Wed, Friday. As i say I moved to 5 shorter days after a couple of years.

Were you WFH 90% of the time when you were working full time prior to maternity leave. Also, pre mat leave were you just working your hours or working additional (unpaid) hours? I don’t condense my hours, but I note that I often work a longer day than those that do, but that is probably because for the vast majority of my working life it was 100% in the workplace and people would mentally note what time you arrived, departed and your productivity.

Yep been a majority homework even before covid and its never been an issue! I worked a 9 day fortnight previously - so slightly longer day and had every other Monday off. I work public sector in a team where working your contracted hours is the norm - no one stays beyond 5pm really.