Returning to work after maternity leave (featuring guest interview)

As a lot of my readers will know already, I faced a redundancy situation at 36 weeks pregnant. But even before that chapter of my career was enforced upon me, I spent weeks (aka my entire pregnancy) debating and analysing every return-to-work eventuality  – financially and logistically. It’s not an alien situation, as pretty much every friend of mine has returned to their pre-baby job, so surely all things run smooth and all employers are flexible and accommodating and life is all sunshine and smiles, right??!! Hmm. Not necessarily.

In this post I speak to a professional recruiter, career advisor and mentor in the City of London who has provided me with some useful words of advice and wisdom. I may be biased, because this said professional is my dear brother, James Manders, but he’s done me proud, succeeding in his field and is providing more and more support to new mothers going back to work and to those wanting to start their careers again from scratch.

James is the MD and owner of specialist recruitment boutique CassonX, and a proud director of Pink Dynasty CIC which empowers young females from underprivileged backgrounds to gain mentorships and work experience in London…

Image: Shutterstock

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The “Mumpreneur” era is upon us

For a while now I have wanted to cover off the subject of “mumpreneur” and I feel now is as good as time as any for two reasons…

  1. The media, social and blogging worlds are bubbling with lava(esque) news stories regarding the lack of flexible working hours and high childcare costs. It’s not easy for working mamas – fact! Pressure is somewhat building and we have great thanks to the likes of Anna Whitehouse of Mother Pukka with her Flex Appeal campaign.
  2. Henry is 10.5 months old, and it is around about now when I was originally planning on heading back up to the big smoke to my Monday-Friday full time job.

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