29 Jul 2024

Simple ways for managers to support parents returning to work

It can be difficult being a new parent but managers can ease the transition back to work with some simple support.

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience but managers can play a key role in ensuring parents feel supported when they return to the workplace after parental leave.

Parents may face challenges returning to work, including experiencing separation anxiety, managing childcare arrangements and a busy workload.

Whether it’s helping to foster a smooth transition or spotting when an employee might be struggling to adjust, managers and employers can promote a supportive workplace for returning parents.

The challenges

A range of emotional and physical difficulties and concerns may impact an employee’s performance and behaviour at work.

It’s important for managers to recognise that parents may experience a range of emotions and worries as they readjust to work life, including:

Coping with the effects of poor-quality sleep
Dealing with child separation anxiety
The financial burden of childcare
Getting home on time after work to collect their child
Juggling work with being a parent

According to Rachel Woodruffe, a specialist perinatal mental health nurse, parents might be dealing with uncomfortable physical problems post-birth, including:

Pelvic girdle pain
Backache
Breastfeeding issues (e.g., needing to express milk during work hours)
Incontinence after childbirth

“If you notice that a colleague is finding it hard to manage their workload, take a moment to consider that they may be finding it hard to juggle their job with other commitments, such as childcare, or being a new parent,” said Woodruffe.

Recognising the signs

The signs that an employee or colleague may be having difficulties coping with work, can include:

Not being productive at work or making uncharacteristic mistakes
Being unusually quiet or withdrawn in meetings
Feeling tired or lack of energy
Stressed
Distracted and regularly checking their mobile

Recognising these signs and encouraging open and supportive conversations to understand what they’re thinking and feeling can help put appropriate measures in place and result in a happier and healthier workplace.

Ways to help parents returning to work

Employers have a responsibility to protect the health and wellbeing of employees and should consider how to ease the impact of returning to work for parents.

Here are some ways to help make the workplace a more parent-friendly place:

Provide support options. Check how aware employees are of their rights, support options and financial wellbeing benefits offered by your organisation.

Create a transition plan. Have a structured transition plan in place for returning parents, including resources, and training available to them when they return.
Schedule regular check-ins. Make time for regular conversations to find out how your team member is doing and actively listen to their concerns and challenges to provide supportive measures.
Support breastfeeding parents. Make employees aware of the breastfeeding support in place. For example, if they are office-based, make available a private lactation and pumping room for them to use.
Encourage peer-to-peer support. Create a support network in your organisation for parents to share experiences and offer emotional support to each other.
Set realistic goals. Regularly review workload and assignments to avoid placing employees under undue pressure. For example, it might not be the best time to start introducing challenging goals or projects.
Offer flexibility. Flexible work schedules may help parents returning to work ease back into their roles while managing childcare responsibilities. These can include working from home, job share, or flexible hours.

Creating a family-friendly workplace

Create and review policies that are family-friendly and support parents’ needs, such as parental leave, childcare assistance and flexible spending accounts.

To create a supportive work environment for parents to thrive, managers and employers should implement flexible policies, foster open communication, and show empathy.

For more guidance on how managers can support parents returning to work, Bupa’s manager’s guide is available here.