Like a lot of women, you may be concerned about how your employer will react once you announce you’re pregnant. Thoughts like “Will they think I’m less committed to the job now?” And “Is my job still secure for when I return?” justifiably flood your mind.

You can rest assured that it is illegal to make a woman redundant or demote her during pregnancy or after she returns from maternity leave. But even though the law may have your back, you may still be concerned about the horror stories from other women who return to work, and after feeling so sidelined and undervalued, have no choice but to quit. Fortunately, these tales are less common the more the rights of pregnant women and mothers have improved.

We’d love to share some tips that can support you with any anxiety you may be feeling around your work situation.

How do I prepare for leaving and returning to work after mat leave?

Make plans

If you are planning to return to work after maternity leave then communicate with your employer about what you plan to do. Try to be specific with how long you would like to take off and when you plan to return. But remember, it is completely within your rights to say you intend to return to work and then change your mind later on. Perhaps suggest some options for best achieving maternity cover. Does someone else need to be employed or can an existing college take over? The more input you can have over the person filling your role, the easier it will be on your return.

Flexible or part-time work

You may have already thought about whether you’d like to work full, part-time or flexi-time once you’ve returned to work. Even though employers are obliged to consider your requests to work part-time or flexi-time, you do not have an automatic right to these requests. If you are a parent of a child under six, you can make a formal request for “flexible time”, which your employer must respond to within six weeks. If the request is refused, they must give their reason in writing. You may appeal this and, if necessary, go to arbitration. Try to present all arguments in your favour and have solutions for any problems raised. Your leadership could influence positive change for other women in your company.

Now let’s take a look at when working while pregnant could be a potential hazard.

When work becomes a hazard

Many women worry that their job may cause harm to their unborn child, but there are very few types of jobs that pose a risk to you and your child.

Having said that, let’s look at the types of work you may need to adjust to support you and your growing baby.

Jobs that involve a lot of standing. Standing for long periods of time doesn’t necessarily cause harm to the baby but it can definitely exacerbate pregnancy issues such as lethargy, varicose veins, backache, and swollen legs and ankles. Try to look for ways to reduce the amount of time you stand, especially in the latter part of pregnancy.

Jobs that involve heavy lifting. If your job involves heavy lifting, make sure you are always bending your knees with your back straight. After the second trimester, try to reduce the weight you lift and how often. It is within your rights to switch to a less strenuous role until you stop work to have your baby.
Jobs that involve long hours or shift work. This can be very tiring and potentially affect your baby. Working long hours and shift work increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. If you work shifts then try to take regular breaks, eat healthily and get enough sleep. If there is no alternative to adjusting your work schedule, consider taking maternity leave a little earlier to conserve your energy and rest before the big day.

Jobs that involve exposure to chemicals or other harmful environmental factors. Jobs in dentistry, medicine and certain industries involve exposure to X-rays, chemicals and other toxic chemicals that may cause harm to your unborn child. It is now standard for women in the medical industry (eg. radiologists) to switch to alternative work once they become pregnant. Talk to your doctor and employer to clarify whether you are putting your baby at risk in any way and enquire about alternative placements.

What do I need to know about returning to work?

Adjusting to the office as a new mum takes planning, says Unii.