Work can be such a big issue when you have a family – with the possibility of juggling, finances, stress, compromising, childcare and employer issues being a focus.
I’m involved with a couple of projects at the moment – with Pregnant Then Screwed and with the North of Tyne Combined Authority – which are both focusing on work when you have a family.
So I am interested in hearing from you – your stories, your experience and your perspective around the barriers to work as well as how your working life has changed as a result of pregnancy and having a family.
I’m interested in anything you have to say and want to share about what was has impacted your work life because I know the barriers to work are varied and personal.
Over the years, parents have told me about:
- employer inflexibility over maternity and paternity leave as well as around the return to work
- giving up their job, stepping away from their career or finding another job which works around their family life
- lack of communication and lack of consistent policies which made the return to work challenging and confusing
- how the expense of childcare is a big issue meaning that families have to make different choices around work and the days/hours they can be at work.
- stress and pressure over taking time off work to attend antenatal appointments
- lack of support around time off work after a premature birth, after babyloss and if there are any medical needs after birth.
I would love to hear your experiences, which can remain anonymous. I want to learn and feedback the range of issues.
I would also love to hear the positive stories, of practical solutions and good practice.
Please do share this post and you can feedback your experience to me in the message box below.
I really appreciate your time to read this and to be involved. Thank you!
Working with parents since 2002