Returning to Work After Maternity Leave

Today marks 1 year since I returned to work after maternity leave! I want to share my experience of becoming a new mum during the covid pandemic and coming back to a new way of working at Siemens.

I had a total of 12 months maternity leave; (people really aren’t lying when they say that time with your new baby goes so quickly!) The first half of my maternity leave was fairly quiet due to the lockdown. But as things started to open up again, I managed to take Jacob to a few baby groups and connect with other mums before it was time to head back to work.

Like any new parent, the thought of returning to work after maternity leave was a little daunting at first. I had a new manager I hadn’t met before, and many colleagues I hadn’t seen in nearly 2 years due to the pandemic. But thankfully, my new manager and the team were incredibly supportive and helped make the transition back to work as smooth as possible.

What I appreciate most about working for Siemens is the culture of trust and flexibility, which has allowed me to juggle my role as “Mum” and continue working full-time in a career I love. Many of my friends assumed I would return to work part-time, but with flexible working hours and the option to work from home, I can manage my own schedule and meet my commitments outside of work while still excelling in my career as a Talent Acquisition Partner.

Research suggests just 24% of women go back full-time after having children. I’m grateful to have a supportive manager and team that understand the demands of juggling work and home life. This has given me the flexibility that has enabled me to continue full-time.

Since returning to work, I’ve also had the opportunity to develop my skills further and take on new challenges. I’ve worked on exciting new projects, mentored members of my team, and taken on new tasks that have helped me grow within my role.

Our team has a trusting and flexible culture, so if I get a call from nursery or need to leave work for any reason, my manager is 100% supportive. It’s invaluable to work for an organisation that understands the challenges of balancing work and parenting commitments.

As a parent, you won’t find a more supportive company than Siemens!