Returning after parental leave.

Money & life
30 April 2019 |  5 min read 

Continuing employment has many benefits besides financial, including self-development, job satisfaction and social contact. It can be tough getting back into the workforce though after an extended break. For that reason, it can be important to put some strategies in place when you want to restart your career.

 Be open with your employer

Be upfront and start the conversation about your return to work as early as possible. You need to let your company know in what capacity, and when, you’d like to return to work.

 Maintain your professional network

It is important to keep in touch with colleagues as well as others in your industry. Sites such as LinkedIn make that easily possible so, don’t forget to check in online and, when you can, participate in posts. Joining other professional networks online, for example, those that cater specifically to your field, can also pay benefits. You may be able to find a mentor to help you ease back into employment, or seek advice from other working mothers.

 Keep your qualifications up to date

If you’re going to be away from the workforce for a considerable amount of time, make sure your skills and experience are still relevant. You could attend a college or institute but, again, the online world has made it easy to study at home, at a time that is convenient. The options are endless, from one-day courses to university degrees, so do some research into what further education could make you more employable. You can also make an appointment with a careers adviser to assist you. If you simply want to challenge your brain, you can do free, self-paced, short courses in everything from data science to justice from universities including Harvard at www.edx.org

 Leave the house

While it is true that everything is accessible online these days, it’s still important to keep your social skills and your self-confidence healthy. Joining a Meet Up group is one way to do this, or the various events run by industry networks.

 Start thinking about childcare early

Do you have friends or family who could help care for your child when you head back to work? Or will you be looking for a babysitter, nanny or childcare centre? With increased competition for quality childcare, particularly at inner-city centres, it’s worth putting your name down at a few different centres as early as you can.

 Know your rights

Under Australian law, an employee returning to work from parental leave is entitled to come back to the same job they had before going on leave.³ Fair Work Australia has a host of information about your rights.

 Support at home

Having it all is a myth, as is doing it all. A 2016 study by Melbourne Institute found that men do 55 minutes of housework a week on average while women do 150 minutes.⁴ Working women need their partner to step up and shoulder more of the household burden. For those who can afford it, hiring a cleaner can help prevent arguments and exhaustion. Setting aside time on the weekend to cook and freeze meals is another option, as is a fresh food delivery service.

1. Source: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/mediareleasesbyReleaseDate/168BFDA0C45F98A8CA258288001A58C5?OpenDocument
2. Source: 6224.0.55.001 - Labour Force, Australia: Labour Force Status and Other Characteristics of Families, June 2017
3. Source: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/maternity-and-parental-leave/returning-to-work-from-parental-leave
4. Source: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/how-australians-are-faring

Personal view disclaimer
The views of the author are not necessarily the views of the QSuper Board and QInvest Limited Board. We’ve put this information together as general information only.