https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:19:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2233001 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 13:44:41 +0000 gingerbebe 2233001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, I live in America and I'm an attorney, and I am in my 10th month of maternity leave. I will have taken a full year off by the time I return. I will also be returning half time.</p> <p>Most female attorneys in my office take 6 months off when they have a baby, perhaps a little shorter after their second, if they have a second. But there are others like me who have taken a full year. I think part of it is because most of the women in my office have their babies later in life (mid-to-late 30s is the norm here) and most are one and done so they want to make the most of their baby bonding time. Furthermore, most of the time they've put in several years of work so they feel like they've sorta earned it. Overall, people who work in my office generally work there for their entire careers and there are probably more women in the office than men, so our employer tends to take a long view of things like family leave. You start working there right after law school, get a few years of good work in, spend a few years of rotating in and out for babies, and then eventually get many more years of full time work out of a dedicated and more efficient employee (gotta get out of here and make my kid's soccer game!) who's going to be looking to keep that job (gotta save for college!) </p> <p>I realize I am extremely lucky to have a flexible job like that. Officially my job only provides short term disability (6 weeks at 50% pay for natural birth, 8 weeks if you have a C-section), and any other leave is your vacation time. But our positions are held open for up to a year unpaid with a right of return at the pay grade you were at when you left. And we have the option of working reduced hours as long as those hours are agreed to with your supervisor. I made it very clear I wanted to return to work at half time when I left for maternity leave and my department really likes me, so they wanted me back. Most moms ramp up to full time after working part time for a while, but it all depends on individual circumstances. I'm not sure what to do with regards to our next child - we want another and I'm already 34, but I feel bad getting pregnant right away after taking a year off. That said, when I stopped by this week to check in with my bosses, they were already asking me when I was going to have a little girl (I had a son). So maybe its not as big of a deal as I think?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2232400 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 05:12:24 +0000 pachamama 2232400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: ugh I know. Our maternity (and paternity!) laws are a travesty in this country. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2232145 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 19:52:10 +0000 Mrs D 2232145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: yes you are technically on medical leave and not allowed to work per us rules. Now if only that were reality ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2231903 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 16:03:48 +0000 Cherrybee 2231903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here in the UK, its the norm to take a year off. I took 7 months and, because it really is the norm here, there was absolutely 100% no damage done to my reputation, my career path or anything of the sort. In fact, I secured a promotion 4 months later.</p> <p>I felt no desire to check my work emails, either!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2231873 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 15:36:26 +0000 Grace 2231873@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: I wonder if that's why they do it here. EI (the govt insurance program that covers mat leave) will not let you make too much extra money while you are collecting EI benefits. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2231752 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 14:18:57 +0000 pachamama 2231752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Grace: as an interesting tidbit, US companies usually ban you from communication/email per law so you cannot be considered working at all and therefore go off your 'disability' plan as many women use disability time for maternity leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2231614 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 13:05:50 +0000 Charm54 2231614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FaithFertility: it's definitely different...pre-baby, teaching was my life - I spent so much of my own money and time on perfecting my classroom and teaching practices. I volunteered for everything, staying late, coming in early, working nights and weekends.</p> <p>It was a shift of priorities when I went back to work...I still felt a huge desire to learn and grow and become a better teacher, but I wasn't investing the kind of time and money that I was pre baby. I try to get my work done during school hours as much as possible so I can pick LO up at a reasonable time and enjoy my hours with her. </p> <p>Good luck going back!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2231512 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 12:17:07 +0000 Grace 2231512@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: We got bought out by an American company a couple years ago (while I was on mat leave actually). So far, we seem to be treated as different companies as far as benefits go and there doesn't seem to be a lot of comparing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2231054 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 08:29:37 +0000 FaithFertility 2231054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: I'm a teacher as well, I feel like I've been away solong, but nothing has changed!<br /> I return end of this month for trainings for the new year!<br /> I am in US and I used to come in early and leave late...many teachers do (un-paid) to get things done, I'm nervous because it has become kind of standard on my grade team to stay after and plan/discuss things....I didnt mind before but now priority is my baby and I'm definitely going to want to head home </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2231037 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 08:21:32 +0000 Charm54 2231037@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had 14 months off last time with summer then my year (Canada). My position was filled by a temporary teacher so it was easy to not worry about work while I was away. I did check my emails periodically and went to visit with the baby every now and then to stay in touch . When I came back to work it was like I had never left. I think because it's the norm and the culture to take long mat leaves that it's not a big deal? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2230988 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:57:19 +0000 looch 2230988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I work for an American company with a European parent. Maternity leave in both places is officially 3 months, but in the mother country only, they offer up to 7 months leave based on years of service. I happened to be in that country when my son was born. </p> <p>I ended up taking off 2 years after the birth of my son and I returned to work in the US. It was a smooth transition back, but I returned in different capacity and it has turned out wonderfully. I am off of what I would consider to be the "fast track" but it's okay, my priorities are different now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2230982 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:51:08 +0000 Mrs D 2230982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Coffee-lover: haha - I had to write all my passwords down somewhere safe before I left for that exact reason!</p> <p>@FaithFertility: thats awesome you were able to take so much time off! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2230973 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:47:35 +0000 Mrs D 2230973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Grace: @Freckles: Thanks ladies! I know the perception is very different by country. I work for a large international country and I often wonder how those who work in other countries feel when they come back after so long with regard to dealing with their US counterparts.</p> <p>@bluestriped bee: I Went back at 3 mos and am thinking now 4 mos will be my goal. However, it will honestly depend on when I have #2. My boss is super flexible but if taking 4 mos means I will miss two quarter closes I could see her not being so flexible! I am physically incapable of not checking email...I have issues</p> <p>@Rockies11: I feel as though my chosen profession makes it very difficult as well. I am already at a disadvantage being a women in a mans profession, even worse in a mans industry. The reaction I got from bosses the last time I announced my pregnancy were HR worthy. ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2230953 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 07:20:46 +0000 FaithFertility 2230953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been off for 6 months and will return to work end of this month!<br /> Although I was blesssed to have so much time off with DD I think it is going to be harder for me to return, I've loved being home and now DD is such a little person and so aware of it all</p> <p>I love my job, but if I could I'd SAH full time </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2230885 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 00:37:48 +0000 Coffee-lover 2230885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was just wondering the same thing. I was taken off work a couple months before I gave birth and am taking 3 and 1/2 months of maternity leave. I was just thinking about it today. Do I even remember my passwords and how much has changed? I wish I could get a day or two of retraining. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2230859 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 23:01:17 +0000 Rockies11 2230859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am on my second extended leave in Canada, and in my profession it is really bad for your career and it's hard to transition back, especially in the baby making phase of life. When you're out for a year, most people then get pregnant pretty soon upon returning, and then they're out again. So when you come back after the first leave, no one really wants to give you work in case you leave again quickly. I also think that in some ways you're a bit tainted unless you change jobs after you're done so that you start fresh as no longer procreating. From the management side, they complain that it's super hard to staff properly because they're never sure if people are actually coming back. I tried to stay really connected during my first leave, but since that didn't really work, I am not even trying this leave. I will just get back to being serious when I am done having kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2230846 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:26:15 +0000 BSB 2230846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My sister just returned back to work after taking 5 months off. She's in the US. She's a manager. I'm not sure how her work was affected. I did ask her if she could see herself going back to work at 3 months and she said it would have been hard because her LO wasn't STTN. Makes me think I should try to take 4 months off. </p> <p>Oh, my sister checked email on Mat leave. I will probably do the same. I also don't think my sister had a replacement while she was gone. She trained someone new before she left on Mat leave and I believe the new hire took over some of her work. My company is currently hiring a temp position for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2230837 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:12:59 +0000 Freckles 2230837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am in Canada and I am taking the full year off. However, I did some work for 2 months to finish up a project, about 10-20 hours/week which I'll be compensated with time off upon my return. After it was done I haven't checked my emails at all mainly because I'm so busy with the two kids. </p> <p>With my first leave, I was always checking emails and even attended the team's planning meeting. I helped out once in a while but that was it. I didn't really respond to emails since my out of office message was clear that I would be gone for a year.</p> <p>I agree with @Grace in that maternity leaves are seen differently here. Typically, you have a replacement and you are guaranteed your job (or one of equal position) upon your return. I'm sure I will have to work hard to get myself up to speed but I'm not worried about being mommy tracked.</p> <p>Hope whatever you decide works out in the end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2230826 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:49:09 +0000 Grace 2230826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in Canada and was gone 10 months. I found it surprising how it seemed that I had never been gone. I found by 9 months, that I was really wanting to come back. My company cuts off your email during mat leave, so I couldn't check emails even if I wanted to. I guess they don't want you to have 10000000 emails when you come back. I don't feel it hurt my career trajectory, but I don't really have any desire to be management anyways. Having said all that, I'm not sure it's very useful to compare people's experiences in other countries. The culture here surrounding mat leave here is so different from what it sounds like it is in the US. It's expected that you will be gone up to a year with mat leaves. Generally, you aren't expected to keep in touch or come back early (there are exceptions, of course). I'm not sure what happens with people with more ambition than me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-hard-is-the-transition-back-to-work-after-an-extended-leave#post-2229782 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 08:03:38 +0000 Mrs D 2229782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been thinking lately about how much time I'll take off with LO#2. With LO#1 I took 3 mos (standard in the US) and then worked flex time (4 days a week) for the month after going back to work. It was so hard to be away from work, so hard to transition back and I def feel like I lost a small step with career advancement.</p> <p>Wondering how some of you moms in countries that offer extended leave felt when you went back to work. Was it hard to be off for 6,9,12 or more months? Did you miss it and find yourself responding to emails? How did you handle all that had changed in your time away? Do you feel it hurt your career trajectory? </p> <p>Just curious here - I dont think I could take more than 4 months without damaging my relationships at work and potentially hurting the career path I have worked hard for. So I am intrigued how it is in countries where the laws are more favorable to maternity leave... </p>