Woman working during maternity leave
Posted inMaternity leave Tips for working mums

Can You Work for Another Employer While on Maternity Leave in the UK? A Guide for Mums

Maternity leave can be a wonderful time to bond with your new baby and adjust to life as a new mother. However, it can also be a challenging time, both financially and emotionally. Many mothers may want or need to continue working during this time to supplement their income or maintain their professional skills. Here are some tips for mums who are considering working while on maternity leave.

Can I work During My Maternity Leave?
Posted inMothers' rights at work Pregnancy at work What's in the news?

Can I work During My Maternity Leave?

Maternity Leave is designed to allow you to rest and recover throughout the first months of your baby’s life, which means that there are some restrictions on working during your leave. These rules are in place to encourage you to relax and make the most of your leave, as well as to make sure that you do not get more payments than you are entitled to receive.

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.

Pregnant? How to start earning extra money before your maternity leave
Posted inBusiness building Maternity leave Money - how to keep it and how to make it Pregnancy at work Starting and running your business Work and money Work, Business, Money

Pregnant? How to start earning extra money before your maternity leave

Firstly, congratulations are in order! If it’s your first child you’ll know doubt have a mix of excitement and a ting of nervousness every so often – life is about to change, for the better! If this is not your first child, you know what to expect during the pregnancy and the mix with work, but you’ll no doubt be wondering how to make the room in your life (and purse!) for the addition to the family.

woman on maternity leave
Posted inMothers' rights at work Staying Sane Work and career tips and advice

Should you go back to work after maternity leave?

The working mum vs stay-at-home mum debate is so old, we grimace every time a piece of ‘research’ tries to pit mums against each other.

The real issue is staying relevant in an ever-changing world, where not staying on top of your game can cost you to sacrifice salary or even your beloved career.

The importance of managing your mental health on maternity leave
Posted inMaternity leave

The importance of managing your mental health on maternity leave

Maternity leave is always a hot topic in the news. With the pressures of work pitted against the importance of new mothers having time to bond with their new-borns, it can seem like an added stress and a recipe for disaster. Some employers take a very positive approach to maternity leave. For example, Netflix recently came out with the introduction of unlimited leave policy for new parents that allows them to take off as much time as they want after having a child.

How freelancing can give your maternity pay a boost
Posted inClub Work and career tips and advice

How freelancing can give your maternity pay a boost

Maternity leave is often a time when women are trying to keep finances ticking over while they spend time with a new baby. But if you don’t have any savings set aside for the arrival of your bundle of joy, the reduction in finances it can be a big financial shock.

Four ways to plan your maternity leave so your colleagues will want you to come back to work
Posted inMaternity leave

Four ways to plan your maternity leave so your colleagues will want you to come back to work

While you may be nursing swollen ankles, and trying to navigate the big bump your third trimester suddenly sprouts out, going on maternity leave may seem like a little way off.

However, the chances of your baby arriving on the due date are slim; according to the National Childbirth Trust, only 5% of babies arrive on their due date. This could have something to do with the fact that pregnancy is measured from the date of your last period, even though the conception could have taken place at any time in the weeks after it.

Know your rights: Don’t get stuck in the maternity leave trap
Posted inMothers' rights at work

Know your rights: Don’t get stuck in the maternity leave trap

According to the Equal Opportunities Commission, around 30,000 UK mums-to-be lose their jobs every year because they are pregnant. For those who do return to work, many find that they are treated so badly that they have no option but to leave – or they’re demoted.

6 ways to have a more meangingful maternity leave
Posted inMaternity leave

6 ways to have a more meangingful maternity leave

Maternity leave can be over and done before you know it. It’s one time in your baby’s life (and yours for that matter!) that you can’t buy back. Use it wisely, and you’ll get the rest and balance you need before going back to work. Here are some tips to make your maternity leave more meaningful.

The reality and financial effects of a maternity-leave career break
Posted inPregnancy at work

The reality and financial effects of a maternity-leave career break

Business women with successful careers are often shocked at the inequalities that still surround employees who take their full maternity leave.

When it’s time to go back to work, the choices available to women can be quite limited, with a common complaint being that the career break has affected the woman’s chances of promotion (35% of mothers said they felt discriminated against on their return to work).