Returning to Work with Isabella Galardo
After nine months of hard work, love and labour, you've secured one of the most special jobs in the world. Becoming a parent.
Orientation into parenthood is never an easy course but, it comes with amazing progression and milestones with your little one. Now comes the next big challenge, returning to work.
The return to work after Maternity and Paternity Leave can be a daunting time for any parent, filled with questions and concerns about what life will look like returning to the workspace.
After welcoming her beautiful Margaux into the world, our Head of Wayleaves Isabella Galardo has returned to work. Here is her experience.
Zzoomm offered me support and reassurance when it came to the reintroduction back into the workplace. Whilst I was on Maternity Leave the company went through a big restructuring, which had led to my job expanding in areas I hadn't yet touched on. Naturally, this made me feel a little anxious, so it was great to have small chats with my team as often as needed to gain support.
My first week back was mentally and physically draining but I don't mean this in a bad way! I'm adjusting to this sudden change; still doing the night feeds, and then making sure we are all up in the morning, washed, dressed and fed before the nursery run. Then open my laptop to start learning my new role and meeting my new team. Then return to being a mummy as soon as work finishes. I do love chaos; I know it's strange! It's been an exciting time amongst the challenges as I love learning and that's exactly what I'm doing right now. I don't think I've fallen asleep on the sofa so quickly after my first week back!
My advice to any parent who is preparing to return to work is, to be easy on yourself. This transition is one of the hardest things you'll do, acknowledge that things won't go the way they have for the time you've been off, allow yourself to feel the emotions but make sure you ask for help when needed in both personal life and work life. Have childcare sorted in advance of your return, this is one less thing to worry about and gives you the confidence your baby will be fine in the time you're not together. If you have a partner talk through how you're feeling and what they can do to help your return easier. Start your routine a week before you go back to work, for me this worked well, and it also helped my children understand how things were going to change and allowed them to adjust. Everyone is different and one size doesn't fit all, these are just some tips that worked for me and my family that may help you.
Here at Zzoomm, for the first month of your return to work, we encourage our Zzoommers to make flexible arrangements with their line manager to enable them to ease back into their role.
These arrangements may include working fewer days; working shorter days or altered start and finish times. We understand the importance of a good start, even when returning to your role, we want to give you the best opportunity to succeed.
All Zzoommers can learn more about our Maternity and Paternity policy here.
People - Maternity & Paternity Policy.pdf - All Documents (sharepoint.com)