CIPR launches new series of guides to navigate the challenges of maternity leave and return to work
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) in collaboration with The Talent Keeper Specialists have today launched a series of 10 practical 'how to' guides intended to help women navigate the challenges of maternity leave and return to work. The guides contain a series of hints and tips on managing maternity leave, which is statistically proven as being one of the biggest causes of the gender pay and equality gap.
Guide 10, Best practices for managing maternity leave for line managers, has been made publicly available and covers issues facing ‘maternity leavers’ and their managers before, during and after maternity leave. It also features a 12-point plan and reflective exercises, including information on planning and maintaining a structure for Keep In Touch (KIT) days and how to manage broader career progression conversations.
The other nine guides, exclusively available to CIPR members, are available below:
- How to ensure a smooth handover to and from your career break
- How to ask for and make the most of Keep In Touch (KIT) days
- How to pitch for flexible working
- How to renegotiate your role
- How to set yourself up for a great return
- How to reignite your confidence
- How to ensure a strong first 90 days back in the saddle
- How to draw boundaries between work and home
- How to get on the right people’s radar and get ahead when you’re back
Navigating the maternity leave process can be daunting for both employees and employers and these guides are aimed at providing some practical solutions to the challenges faced. Shared parental leave and pay is due to come in from December onwards and this is something the CIPR will also be looking at in due course.
Employers who recognise the huge transition career returners face, and who up-skill their line managers to support them, are paid back in increased performance and organisational commitment. Line managers have the biggest impact on employees' 'comeback experience' and career progression and for that reason I'm delighted the CIPR is making the guide for line managers publicly available. This is a vital culture-shaping step the Institute should be applauded for.
These guides form part of a package launched in September 2014 intended to support CIPR members on maternity leave, which includes up to 12 months' payment holiday from CIPR membership – to ease the financial burden of Statutory Maternity Pay, and up to 12 months discretionary CPD credits – to maintain levels of accreditation.
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public relations (CIPR) is the professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK. With over 10,000 members involved in all aspects of PR, it is the largest body of its type in Europe. The CIPR advances the public relations profession in the UK by making its members accountable through a code of conduct, developing policies, representing its members and raising standards through education and training.
About the Talent Keeper Specialists
The Talent Keeper Specialists help employers shrink the time it takes valued and talented employees to be at peak performance after a career transition, whether returning from maternity leave or other career breaks, stepping into a new role, or as a new joiner. Find out more about The Talent Keeper Specialists' 1:1 comeback coaching programmes, group workshops and work with line managers via www.talentkeepers.co.uk and on Twitter @TalentKeepersUK.