Returning to work after maternity leave is still a hugely daunting and difficult experience for many mothers. A new NCT survey has found that one in three women (39 per cent) said they found going back to work after having a baby `difficult’ or `very difficult’, with 31 per cent saying their relationship with their boss had deteriorated since they had become pregnant. Despite a host of legislation and HR policies aimed at successfully welcoming mothers back into the workplace, many say they’re still not receiving the support they need.
The …

If your maternity leave is ending, you may be wondering how to continue breastfeeding when you are back at work. Geraldine Miskin is a leading independent breastfeeding specialist, with her own private practice in Twickenham called The Let’s Breastfeed Practice. Geraldine’s aim is to empower mums with practical solutions. Here she gives her tips for going back to work with a spring in your step, whilst leaving a contented little one at home.

Antonia Chitty of Family Friendly Working says, “We welcome the Governments plans to allow dads to share part of mums maternity leave. This will give dads a chance to play a greater role in parenting and share care. It is a good move for flexible working too, and acknowledges that in some families mum is the main breadwinner.”
Family Friendly Working would like to see the proposed plans for longer leave for mums upheld, as well as better paternity leave for dads.

Imagine falling pregnant and not having to worry about how you will live on one income, and how soon you would need to go back to work in the baby’s first year, writes Karen Miles of Motherhood – Career and Identity.
Imagine not having to put your unborn child’s name on a day care waiting list in hope they will be accepted in a years’ time? And how about not worrying about how you will cover child care costs if your child is accepted?
Imagine not being treated as an uncommitted worker …

I’ve just come across a great blog where Amber writes on Maternity Leave every monday. As well as commenting on her own experiences, she has written about parental leave allowances in countries around the world. Check it out.

If you’re at home with the kids, what is stopping you going back to work? In Australia, the top 3 barriers for parents returning to work are lack of flexible jobs (90%), cost of child care (57%) and a general lack of self confidence (26%). Do you think these are similar to what is stopping you?
For those who are working, the main reasons for returning to work include income (85%), social interaction (50%), maintain skills (48%) and career aspirations (38%). And nearly 60% of CareerMums survey respondents stated that their …

PLANS to allow parents to share a year’s paid maternity leave have been shelved by Lord Mandelson after complaints from businesses, as reported in The Sunday Times
Dads will be losing out on the chance of six months’ paid leave to look after a baby, allowing mothers to return to work early. Ministers also promised to extend paid maternity leave from nine to 12 months.
The plans were seen as a key plank of Labour’s family-friendly agenda, giving parents more flexibility on who looked after the children. They would also have …

Managing Maternity have just run their second annual survey about maternity leave, and the results make interesting reading.
Women are taking more time off: the average is now 8.8 months, with longer leave reported in the private sector and larger organisations. In 39% of organisations, average maternity leave is between 10 and 12 months.
There is an indication that return to work rates are falling. The average return to work rate is 81.6%, compared to 84% in 2007. 50% of organisations say it is lower for second or subsequent children.  If you’re …

Last week I blogged about how maternity leave differs across the globe. In Australia up until now you could take a year off, but without pay. This week, however, it has been announced that women will get 18 weeks paid leave from 2011. Find out more details from Aussie blogger and businesswoman Karen Miles.

In the UK, women get 52 weeks maternity leave, 39 of which are paid. Women’s rights to paid leave are worse in the US. In Australia, you get 12 months, but it is unpaid. What do you think is reasonable? And should it be possible to split the leave between mums and dads. Look at the new proposals from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, and tell us what would work best for you.