7 ways to boost your career during maternity leave

Treat your maternity leave as an opportunity to prove how central you are to the business’s success, and use it as an opportunity to drop in any insights you’ve had while being away.

‘Before you come back, ask to have coffee with someone from senior management. It shows you’re keen to throw yourself back in,’ suggests Jessica Chivers, founder of employment coaching company The Talent Keeper Specialists, and author of Mothers Work! How To Get A Grip On Guilt And Make A Smooth Return To Work.

If the thought of leaving your baby and re-entering office politics is stressing you out, ask your employer to look into maternity comeback coaching. Your skills are as strong as ever – make that point.

This can help new mums feel more self-assured and clearer on career goals. Talent Keepers offer one to one sessions, both with and without your line manager.

It’s difficult to slip back into work mode when the only thing in your head is the Night Garden theme tune. ‘Use social media to keep up with contacts and stay engaged with work,’ suggests Karen Gill, co-founder of Everywoman, a global organisation connecting working women.

The government allows up to 10 paid ‘Keeping in Touch’ days for maternity leave mums to come into the office. ‘Be clear about what you want to use them for,’ says Jessica, ‘If you want to attend a team-training day while you’re off, ask to be informed.’

'Keep up your interest in your company'

According to a recent poll, 50% of mums returning to work part-time made colleagues worried, as their commitment was questioned. Keep up your interest in your company even when you’re on mat leave – and the people you work with – by doing some work socialising, even if it's just bringing your baby into the office to say hello.

‘You don’t have to go to everything, but it helps to highlight your commitment if your face is seen,’ says Jessica.

If you’re going to work from home, get organised. Sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed at the amount of time you save when you don’t have to look for your memory stick in a pile of Lego. ‘Make sure you have great Wi-Fi connectivity, a reliable phone network and a place where you can keep all your work-related stuff together,’ says Karen.

'Don’t be afraid to ask for different working hours'

When you start planning to go back, just because there isn’t anyone currently working the way you want to, don’t be afraid to ask. ‘I know a mum who negotiated completely different working hours to other employees. In the mornings, her youngest is at preschool, so she works mornings and evenings to get the work done,’ says Fiona Clark, careers coach and founder of Inspired Mums.