RETURNING TO WORK
BTC is a voluntary self help group and this information is intended for interest only. For medical advice, please contact your GP or Health Visitor
Women now do such a wide variety of jobs and form such a vast proportion of the work force that it is in the Companies’ best interests to attract them back. Also, women are leaving it later to start a family, by which time they are more established in their careers and therefore are more of a loss to their employers. In addition rights at work are far greater now e.g. maternity benefits, flexible working also attitudes have changed so that it is no longer considered “wrong” to return to work.
However, how is this decision affected when twins/triplets arrive? Here are three members personal experiences who found themselves in this situation.
KAREN’S STORY
Karen’s twins are almost two and she had returned to work part-time when they were six months old. She had always planned to go back to work and the fact that there were twins on the way did not alter her plans. It did, however, affect childcare options e.g. getting two babies out of the house in time to get to work is a lot harder than one baby and there was no family option available to her.
She decided to contact a Nanny Agency, which charged a basic fee, adjusted accordingly for full or part-time nanny. The first nanny who came on a trial basis did not work out as she lacked confidence to be left alone with two small babies, having had no experience of working on her own. The second nanny worked out well but she had another part-time job, which fitted in with her work with Karen’s family and when that other job came to an end, she had to leave Karen to find a full time position. The present nanny, however, is ideal as things are working well.
Karen feels that her employer is a progressive company with family friendly policies and were very flexible when it came to a part-time contract. She enjoys working but at times she misses having some time for herself which is just not possible when juggling work, family and home.
LINDA’S STORY
Linda explained that after the birth of her daughter she returned to work as a nurse teacher at a local hospital four days a week. When her twins arrived she went back to work when they were 7 months old for two days a week.
Initially Linda thought that returning to work after having her twins would be completely out of the question, as her mother looked after her daughter and didn’t feel that she would be able to cope with all three children. However, she did return to work and her mother is coping well and as her husband does shift work, he is also able to help.
Linda found both the hospital and her manager were flexible and sympathetic to her situation. She does however, have one problem in that one of the children suffers from asthma and when he has an attack she cannot leave him. When this happens she feels as though she is letting her colleagues down. Another problem for Linda is the feeling of guilt about leaving the children especially since her decision was more personal than financial.
Like Karen, Linda has little time for herself as, although she only works 2 days a week, she brings a lot of work home.
SANDRA’S STORY
Sandra’s twins were 6 months old when she returned to work. Sandra’s nanny who was found through an agency, has been excellent, even though it was her first job. However, Sandra did carry out her own checks and interviews. Her manager has been very helpful and has even expressed a willingness to be flexible in the event of any problems arising at home.
Sandra manages to have a little time to herself for keep fit etc. but she would definitely prefer to stay at home with the children if it were financially possible.
