Maternity matters: How remote working can keep recent parents on board

It’s a loaded term -

MATERNITY LEAVE.

Nearly half of new mothers cut short their leave entitlement out of fear.

And today, it’s only half the story.

BOTH parents (regardless of gender) are entitled to Shared Parental Leave.The law now recognises the importance of BOTH parents to the first months of life.

But what if you looked at these life events

not as a COST…

...but as an OPPORTUNITY?

of women in professional jobs - that’s KNOWLEDGE WORK.

Especially with

38%

WORK IS NOT EITHER/OR.

Becoming a parent doesn’t mean 100% out,

Just as non-parenthood doesn’t mean 100% in.

All employers must, by law, consider REMOTE and FLEXIBLE working options.They can provide a smoother route back to work for some people, while retaining the skills of those who’d otherwise move on.

What is remote? What is flexible?

REMOTE working is about PLACE.It recognises today’s workplace can be a dining table, kitchen worktop, or hotel room.

Today’s work doesn’t need presence in the office all the time.(Or even most of it.)

of employees want the option...including nearly all those pesky Millennials.

66%

While FLEXIBLE working is about TIME.Starting two hours later?

Staying on for an evening shift?

Packing a week’s work into four days to take Friday off?

people are entitled to ask for it. Approach it with trust and understanding.

20m

KEY THOUGHT:DON’T groan at

Statutory pay and Shared Parental Leave…

Thrill to the OPPORTUNITIES remote and flexible working can create.For both MOTHER and FATHER.

(14m people want it - only 6% of job ads offer it.)

BENEFITS FOR A NEW MOTHER:

1. Remote working helps her STAY IN THE GROOVE.Many returning mothers can feel disconnected after a timeout. Remote technologies like videoconferencing and virtual meetings keep them in the office groove - even with a mewling infant on their lap.

Mums are terrific multitaskers. But you

knew that already.

2. Flexible arrangements let mums do the TIME-SHIFT SHUFFLE.Late nights and unexpected crises are part and parcel of parenthood. But smart people can work around them - if given a little latitude. If her work’s great, why does it matter if she does it in the sleepless hours of 2am-5am?

Today’s software already helps millions do it.

3. Collaboration software helps her COME BACK… without COMEBACK.A child is a lifelong commitment. So some mums do it full-time (so do some dads). But that doesn’t mean they are lost to you. That vital task only she can do? Perhaps she can do it in three hours a day…from her kitchen worktop. Keeping her earning, and you competitive.

Even a year with Additional Maternity

doesn’t mean unplugging.

BENEFITS FOR THE PARTNER:

EXACTLY THE SAME!(Equality rules,

remember?)

One word sums it up:

APPRECIATION

Parents APPRECIATE the chance to stay in contact while on leave.

Households APPRECIATE earning income on a flexible basis.

Companies APPRECIATE retaining valuable employees throughout.

And CHILDREN appreciate the attention of their parents…...WITHOUT IT AFFECTING THEIR UNIVERSITY FUND!!!

(They’ll thank you when they reach 18.)

DON’T WAIT 18 YEARS FOR THE BENEFITS OF FLEXIBLE AND

REMOTE WORKING.

Download your eGuide now

Make sure your policy matches your people’s needs, download

The connected business: The rise of remote working and your HR policy, what you need to know...and engage and empower your workforce long before maternity leave.

Strategic

Effective

Flexible

The rise of remote working and your HR policy, what you need to know...

The connected business: