Posted inFamily life How to cope with problems at work

Can you get sacked if you look after your child while working from home?

The rise of remote work in the UK has revolutionised how people approach their professional lives, offering greater flexibility and work-life integration, and with that comes some confusion about parents’ rights to work from home while they look after a child.

For working mums in the UK, this shift in flexible working has brought new opportunities to be more present in their children’s lives while pursuing their careers. However, concerns about potential job insecurity due to childcare responsibilities while working from home still linger. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the legal protections that UK mums have when it comes to looking after their children while working remotely, empowering them to confidently navigate the realm of remote work and parenting.

4 Ways to Make Returning to Work After Maternity Leave as Painless (and Stress-Free)as Possible
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work Maternity leave Mothers' rights at work Pregnancy at work Staying Sane Tips for working mums Work and career tips and advice

4 Ways to Make Returning to Work After Maternity Leave as Painless (and Stress-Free)as Possible

Returning to work after maternity leave can have mixed feelings. I know this for sure because my sentiments were quite different after each of my two maternity leaves.

For our first child, I remember crying all the way to the train station. It was nothing, in particular, just the thought of leaving him with anyone, compounded by the guilt at even thinking about heading back to work, leaving my first fruits with complete strangers.

What happens when you take your employer to a tribunal?
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work Mothers' rights at work Pregnancy at work Work, Business, Money

What happens when you take your employer to a tribunal?

Yesterday, we gave you a rundown on what to expect at work during your pregancy from first to second, to third trimester. Today, we’ll be looking at what to do if your employer turns nasty during your pregnancy.

Making a decision to take your employer to a tribunal won’t have been easy. However, if you don’t do something about it, they get away with it and will likely do it again. Every wonan has the right to be treated fairly at work – pregnancy can be stressful enough if you have health issues; and there’s so much you may already have on your mind in prepapration for your bundle of joy anyway, so havig issues at work just compounds the issue.

Never Underestimate the Power of Five Minutes
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work Staying Sane

Never Underestimate the Power of Five Minutes

Do you always feel like you are running from one activity to the next and never seem to get a few moments to yourself? Do you find it hard to schedule in time to take a break?

Never underestimate the importance of five minutes. No matter how busy a day we have, we all have five minutes to spare in our day. That’s the equivalent of just 5 out of 1440 minutes of each day. It can do so much to change our perspective on the pressures of life. 

That time I was harassed at work
Posted inEditor's word How to cope with problems at work Mothers' rights at work Work, Business, Money

That time I was harassed at work

Every other news story this past month seems to be about the inappropriate behaviour of men in sectors from film (aka the alleged Harvey Weinstein) to politics. Industry big wigs seem to have, for years, got away with treating women any way they wish.

Some critics have blamed women for dressing inappropriately, not standing up for themselves and even for putting themselves in a vulnerable situation themselves.

How to not let your colleagues make you feel like a skiver
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work Podcasts for mums

How to not let your colleagues make you feel like a skiver

There’s nothing more irritating than doing your job (really well!), working your contracted hours and being made to feel like you’re doing something wrong because you’re leaving on time.

But how do you manage that when you’re colleagues are constantly making comments that make you feel like you’re letting the side down, or aren’t doing enough?

Office workers can suffer workplace injuries, too
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work

Office workers can suffer workplace injuries, too

When most people think of on-the-job injuries, they think of those that take place in “dangerous” jobs, such as construction, law enforcement, factory work, and the like.  And while it’s true that severe or fatal injuries are more likely to occur in environments where workers have to use heavy equipment or deal with unpredictable circumstances, those who work in “sedentary” jobs, such as office workers, are just as much at risk for a workplace injury.

Hold your tongue – how to stay professional
Posted inCareers Coach Blog How to cope with problems at work

Hold your tongue – how to stay professional

Heard the saying, ‘We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less’?

Yes, you love your children and everything they do, and all the great things your family gets up to but sometimes too much information can come back to bite you on the proverbial. Especially in the workplace. Here’s how to make sure you don;t get stung.

How to ward off over flirty coworkers
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work

How to ward off over flirty coworkers

It started with just a cheeky wink, which you had quickly deemed as harmless. However, soon the winks evolved into repetitive compliments and suggestive jokes, which often left you feeling uncomfortable.

Working with someone who is regularly and excessively flirty or inappropriate can be a challenge.

Avoid the war zone: how to stay out of office politics
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work Work and money

Avoid the war zone: how to stay out of office politics

Sometimes, with all the best will in the world, you can get caught up in office politics without even wanting to. Here are a few pointers to help you stay out of trouble’s way.

How to manage office politics
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work

How to manage office politics

In every organisation, there is usually one or more people who either do not want to be there, hate their job or career, or just can’t stop gossiping (and sh*t stirring) about other people…no, that is not a typo).

One way to avoid it is to leave, the department or organisation altogether, but like I said, in every organisation, there will be one or more of these…so you’ll soon find yourself around such a person again.

Don’t tell me to cheer up! And other things you shouldn’t say to colleagues
Posted inChildren & Relationships How to cope with problems at work

Don’t tell me to cheer up! And other things you shouldn’t say to colleagues

Let’s face it – there are some people who love to have a good old moan. And the last thing they need – or want – is someone trying to stop them raining on their own parade.

Say you have a colleague who is really upset about an argument with another colleague, their spouse, or their mortgage falling through.

Five ways to reduce pressure and improve productivity, increase self confidence and build better coworker relationships
Posted inCareers Coach Blog How to cope with problems at work

Five ways to reduce pressure and improve productivity, increase self confidence and build better coworker relationships

Do you find yourself having to work harder to achieve the same amount, feeling less confident about your outputs and experiencing fewer productive interactions with others at work?

office politics and how to deal with them
Posted inHow to cope with problems at work Work and career tips and advice

Workplace Politics and How to Cope

Every office has its quirks and unspoken rules when it comes to etiquette, but some of the universal rules of good behaviour seem so obvious that they’re easily overlooked.

Are you the person who’s always leaving your coffee mug in the kitchen sink and leaving it for others to wash up for you? Did you think that your colleagues haven’t noticed? What does that sloppiness say about your ability to finish a task for the team or your willingness to take responsibility?

Is your family really benefitting from you working at home?
Posted inCareers Coach Blog Children & Relationships How to cope with problems at work Relationships tips and advice

Is your family really benefitting from you working at home?

It’s time to take stock: is your family really benefitting from you working from home?

It’s easy to get buried in the needs of your work when you work at home. A little bit of planning, however, can go a long way towards making working at home a wonderful experience for all. Your family is why you decided to work at home, so don’t let the stresses and demands of work put a dampener on that.