balancing work and family commitments
at work
At first it may not be easy to balance work and family commitments and you must be realistic about what you can handle. The hours you work may need to be more flexible, at first, to accommodate picking and dropping your child off at the nursery or child-care provider until you and your partner get into a routine.
Most of us put in extra time at some stage or another to finish a piece of work, and some people voluntarily choose to work longer hours than required, on a regular basis, but because of responsibilities outside work this may now not be possible for you.
Providing you are open and honest with your employer and confirm their expectations from the start you won't go wrong. Don't feel you have to be defensive, most bosses don't want to lose efficient and experienced staff and they also know that Employment Law gives you the right to return to work under flexible conditions.
Work out what changes you need to make and arrange a meeting with your boss to discuss and explain your requests - for example, ask for a guarantee that you can finish work at a set time every day so you can get to the nursery or child-care provider.
By setting these parameters at the outset both you and your employer know where you stand and returning to work will be less stressful from the start.
at home
All the conflicting emotions when you return to work will only be made worse by taking on too much at home, too! It is essential that you find ways to reduce the demands being made on you and not try to do everything yourself.
If your partner doesn't do so already they will need to share some of the household chores and responsibilities, so that you are both free to spend an equal amount of time with your child at weekends and evenings.
Also don't be reluctant to ask for help from friends and family, especially in the early stages of returning to work when you are still attempting to establish a routine and balance between both work and home.
The Government is encouraging and promoting the benefits of achieving a work-life balance, and striving to get employers to make jobs 'family-friendly'.
For more information visit their web site
