Navigating Redundancy & Motherhood

I was so excited to be taking a step-back from my career at the end of April to raise my first child. Envisaging maternity leave to be filled with summer walks around the beautiful countryside, spending more time with our family, and possibly some nice weekend getaways to other parts of the country. Of course, I was aware some hardships were to come – a feeling of loneliness, poonamis, and endless cleaning. But I chose to focus on the positives as much as I could.

However, when I got made redundant, I could only picture the negatives. Now I was going to have to spend my first (and who knows, maybe my only) maternity leave going through the soul-crushing experience of applying for endless jobs and likely not hearing back from most recruiters. Facing rejection upon rejection at an already vulnerable time in my life.

I didn’t know what to do.

I wanted a remote position like the one I was in before, but I’m aware they’re now difficult to come by since the return-to-office recently made a comeback. At my previous job, I enquired about returning to work on reduced hours (a 4-day working week seemed ideal to me), and it was feasible to the company. Now that luxury has faded away as part-time, remote jobs are practically like gold dust nowadays.

Not only the lack of hybrid/flexi working panicked me, if was the no KIT days available, no RTW plan.

If and when I get a new job, I would be expected to hit the ground running after taking time out to raise a family. How will I re-adjust myself to the world of work?

Other people who have not faced the challenges of job loss (especially over the last several years) tend to be quite naïve, and they were adamant I would find new, suitable employment quite quickly – I knew this would not be the case.

Interviews conducted from home may seem easy – but not when there is a newborn around. What if he wakes up crying whilst I’m on the call?

I chose to start a family during a period where I felt like the time was right – a healthy relationship, a secure home, and a good salary. Unfortunately, circumstances can change within the space of one minute.

If any employers are reading this blog post, how are you planning to accommodate the parents in your workplace? Either way, all I ask is that you please show them some kindness and patience - they are going through a lot!