Mat Leave: An Unexpected Year of Professional Development
- Erica McIlquham
- May 30, 2017
- 3 min read
Hi!
I am less than two months away from returning to my day job from maternity & parental leave. I will now write that cliche thing, "I can't believe how fast time has gone". But it's true.
I've been thinking a lot about returning to work and have also spoken to other women who have gone through this transition. Personally, I find one of the best ways to learn is through others and talking to other women about their journey always gives me something to think about and consider. Different perspectives make the world go round.
I don't believe it's the intention of company's to discriminate against women coming back from maternity/parental leave. But I do think that it's an issue that a lot of women face. I'm not sure if it's workplace culture, if it's the limited understand of those working for these company's, if it's the lack of re-integration programs, or what. But the issue is common enough and I'm here to talk about how my experience being on parental leave has and will make me a better employee upon returning to work. Hopefully if you are a parent reading this my words may resonate with you. Or if you are not maybe you will gain a new perspective for those returning to work after taking a year at home with their children.
1. I've never been more efficient.
I've talked about this on the blog here. When you have a baby the "stuff" you need to accomplish doesn't really change, the priority of that "stuff" may be different but for the most part the rest of life still continues on. Therefore, think of how this will impact our effectiveness returning to work. In my case, I've just spent the last YEAR learning how to get $H!& done in less time. Returning to work I've already thought of ways in which my days, weeks and months will be more effective. This is a huge win for companies. Every year corporations spend dollars and time on courses teaching people how to be more effective. Time Management. Administrative Assistants. New software. Devices. I could go on. Parental leave is the ultimate in time management 101.
2. We gain a new perspective about the importance of relationships.
In terms of priorities I've learned the importance of spending that quality time with my little over everything else. Chances are your job has SOMETHING to do with people. With relationships. With team dynamics. Clients. Something. Understanding how crucial it is to observe others, listen to others needs and wants, and connecting. Nothing can teach someone the importance of this more than becoming a parent. I've learned that how having a partner and community to lean on is SO helpful, the importance of listening to my little babes demands, attempting to understand her needs and of giving her that feeling and understanding of security, comfort and growth. Taking these lessons that we've learned about caring for our families back into the workforce can only do good things. Increased empathy, stronger relationships and the ability to level with and understand others. Win-Win-Win.
3. A "break" to exercise creativity.
Sometimes taking a break with one thing to focus on something else can be a groundbreaking move for creativity. Creativity drives innovation and in today's workforce I know that innovation is a buzz word that a lot of companies are trying to embed in their culture. What I am not saying is that parental leave is full of these serene moments to ponder life. What I am saying is that a change in routine can spark new ways of thinking and new perspective.
The point I am trying to make is that parental leaves are often seen as "negative" in a lot of workplaces and women specifically aren't necessarily treated the same upon returning to work as they were pre-children. Like anything in life- there may just be a silver lining. Every opportunity given to us should be taken advantage of. This life that we live is an adventure and every moment, every change and every new challenge can be seen as a way we grow and develop ourselves.
In writing this today, I am hoping to make a difference to those that read it, to ask women to take a stance and to bring these points up to their employers. To "Lean In" upon returning to work and to tell your management about how you felt you grew during your time away. Ask for more support upon re-integrating to the workforce - because heck, even though you may learn a thing or two - coming back is NOT easy. Often people are oblivious to differences because they may not be given the opportunity to hear a new perspective - so be the change and tell others your story. It matters.
xo
The #YGK Mom
Comments