I returned to work in February from my second maternity leave. When I was returning, I wanted to share a note for leaders and teams supporting someone from leave.
After a long period away — in my instance, maternity leave — there isn't a simple switch back on. It's walking back into a fast moving environment, leaving your baby at home, and being expected to operate at a pace after months away.
It's not easy.
You wouldn't expect this of a new joiner, yet returning employees are often treated as though nothing has changed.
A few simple things make a real difference:
- Acknowledge that the transition is hard
- Offer context before expecting pace
- Create safety to ask questions
- Allow time to rebuild confidence and rhythm
This helps in retaining talent, building trust, and supporting sustainable performance.
How people are treated when they return is remembered long after the logistics are forgotten.
As a coach, and as someone living this transition again, this matters. It is a conversation I am deeply invested in.
Divya
CORE-D — Coaching with Divya
Supporting professionals through change, transition and return-to-work journeys