It’s a fact. A lot of mothers find it hard to get back to work after a break. In her book Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg says, “43% of highly qualified women with children are leaving careers or off-ramping for a period of time.” If we could put it all down to a strong maternal instinct, that would be OK. But it’s not just that. The socio-cultural landscape we live in doesn’t seem encouraging enough of the aspirations of new mothers to have their children and a high-growth career.
Sandberg’s stats sound familiar to those of us closer home. Even in India, a large percentage of qualified women quit work after their first child in order to spend more time at home. The sad part of the story is we are talking about highly qualified women who work in large Indian and multi-national companies.
But to reverse all that would be to boil the ocean. So we must start with small but concrete steps. We can start by understanding that a lot of women quit during or after pregnancy not only because they feel the urge to be full-time mothers for a while, but also because of disabling factors in the socio-cultural landscape:
♦ Lack of mother- and child-friendly company policies
♦ Lack of safe childcare facilities
♦ Lack of parental support for childcare in many cases
♦ Regressive mind set of family and society that makes the journey back to work difficult
♦ Failure to reduce or better manage a new mother’s stress at work
♦ Failure to actively provide a healthy work-life balance for new mothers
As a coach, I am interested in the psychological aspect of this story, and in helping new mothers navigate this path with the right story in their heads. Because often, if you’re a new mother and taking a break to raise your child, you tend to have the wrong story in your head.
►Stay Determined:
During the break, most mothers become complacent and start enjoying the break. The stress-free life can become addictive. If you want to get back to work, stay relevant by updating your knowledge and skills.
During the break, most mothers become complacent and start enjoying the break. The stress-free life can become addictive. If you want to get back to work, stay relevant by updating your knowledge and skills.
►Stay Motivated:
One must be motivated to get back to work after a break. Choose a job that means something to you. Don’t end up building your life around your child.
One must be motivated to get back to work after a break. Choose a job that means something to you. Don’t end up building your life around your child.
►Stay Connected:
Though you are on break, stay in touch with old colleagues, bosses and other friends who are still working. This will help you be ‘in the circuit’ for work opportunities that may be good for you.
Though you are on break, stay in touch with old colleagues, bosses and other friends who are still working. This will help you be ‘in the circuit’ for work opportunities that may be good for you.
►Stay Flexible:
When you get back to work don’t be hung up about what you can and cannot do. Be open to new ideas. You never know where your next wave of growth is going to come from.
When you get back to work don’t be hung up about what you can and cannot do. Be open to new ideas. You never know where your next wave of growth is going to come from.
►Know Where to Draw the Line:
Just because you took a break doesn’t mean you are vulnerable to exploitation or discrimination. Know your rights and demand them.
Just because you took a break doesn’t mean you are vulnerable to exploitation or discrimination. Know your rights and demand them.
►Ask for Support:
The first few months after rejoining the workforce may be overwhelming. Have a friend or a coach to keep you anchored.
The first few months after rejoining the workforce may be overwhelming. Have a friend or a coach to keep you anchored.
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