A leading UK Employee Assisted Programme provider is offering support to mothers wishing to return to work following maternity leave.
Whilst many job websites currently hold advice for employers and employees about the rights of working mothers, Validium is providing confidential telephone helplines for women experiencing difficulties with their job search.
According to Validium, many women experience stress and anxiety when returning to work after prolonged absence of six months or more, and lack confidence in their abilities to reintegrate into the workplace.
The company is advising employers to put simple procedures in place that will ensure mums aren't overwhelmed on their return to work, onrec.com reports.
"When someone's been off it's usually a great relief to colleagues when they are back but when we're all busy it's very easy to just off-load the work, assuming that the person is up to speed with what's going on," explained Anne Payne, Validium's director.
"Our advice is for companies to introduce a phased return to work. For example, make sure mums are sent company literature and updates on what's going on at work when they are off. Invite them to return on a reduced working week, or reduced hours, for an agreed period and make sure they don't simply have their work dumped back on their desk as soon as they return," she added.
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