Working parents, we salute you! Having kids has made you more efficient in the home, and now that you’re just back at work, you’re taking it to the workplace. We’ve put together our 10 best-ever tips to help get you back into the groove at work, so you can get in, get the job done, and get home to your loved ones.
How to make returning to work more manageable
Block-out breaks in your calendar
Schedule an hour for lunch every day (even if you don’t take the full hour, colleagues will quickly learn not to book meetings during this time). Set aside half an hour at your desk at the start and end of each working day to check emails and get organised. Avoid any crazy panic!
Work from home one day a week
Even if you can work remotely one day a week, it is a lifesaver if you can arrange it! Ditch the commute for added productivity, plough through tasks without distractions, and put on that load of washing. (Remember, in Australia, it’s your right to request flexible working arrangements.)
Use your 'out of office' and email signature
Add your work days to the bottom of your email signature so others know exactly when to catch you. Set up an out-of-office message if you work part-time to clarify when others expect to hear back from you. Here’s one we prepared earlier! Go ahead… cut and paste:
Thank you for your email.
Please note my work days are [enter your ‘in office’ days]. Please contact [insert your manager’s contact details] for anything urgent. Otherwise, I will respond to your email when I am back in the office as soon as possible. Thank you, [insert your name]
Have two phones
If you’re working part-time and have a work phone, you may want to weigh the cost of getting an extra personal phone. It’s an easy way to compartmentalise work and family time. On days at home with your kids, time is less likely to be interrupted by a work call or a sneaky check of your emails.
Hold firm on your work days and hours
We know first-hand that working part-time means you might be tempted to compromise days with your kids with a ‘little bit of work’ or the work call you’re not being paid for. We’ve seen many working parents fall into this trap because they feel grateful to work part-time, then over-compensate by being available on days off. Don’t start this because once you do it’s hard to go back.
Take days in lieu
If you work additional hours regularly or have to go into the office on a day off, talk to your manager about taking a day in lieu. It’s only fair.
Purchase extra leave
Some organisations will let you buy additional leave (generally one or two weeks a year) as a flexible way to help you manage work and personal commitments. The value of the annual leave is deducted from your pre-tax monthly salary in equal amounts over 12 months. It’s a good way to give you more flexibility and family time. Check out your work’s intranet for policy details.
Do what you can the night before
Somebody give this tip its own Top 10! Being organised will make the morning rush and the witching hour way easier. Don’t wait till morning to lay out your kids’ clothes, your clothes, pack bags and pre-prepare dinner, or pull something out from the freezer; get organised the night before.
Have a childcare backup plan
Because all it takes is one sick kid to turn your world upside down! Have a discussion with your manager early about how you’ll manage sick days, be clear with your partner about how you will juggle it, and try to secure an emergency carer.
Make time for exercise
Regular exercise often falls by the wayside for busy working parents. See it as an investment for your body and mind's health, and prioritise it. Get creative. Can you alternate morning duties with your partner before work so you can hit a 6 AM gym class or go for a run? Find a personal trainer who will go to your workplace for a lunchtime group training session. Take a walk during your break. Every bit counts.
Being a working parent is a constant juggle, but take it from us; it gets easier with experience. In no time, you’ll not only have your routine down, but you’ll be holding the hand of other recently returned working parents, guiding them through.
Originally published by the Circle In team https://circlein.com/top-10-best-ever-tips-for-a-trouble-free-return-to-work/
Kate Pollard is a co-founder of CircleIn and the Parents You've Got This Return to Work expert. Kate is passionate about supporting parents on their return to work journey by providing tools and advice to navigate their return career through all stages of parenthood, from pregnancy to return to work and managing the work-life juggle.
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