Back from Maternity Program

Back from Maternity Program helps mothers returning from maternity leave to
transition easier
back to work. An e-mail is sent to the direct manager and the host manager with a
check-list of actions
they are to consider to prepare for the employee. Actions include from having a
desk, laptop, etc.,
onboarding with changes in the company strategy during their leave, team
deliverables, structure to
setting personal goals, and discussing what support will be needed. The returning
mother is welcomed
with a HP-branded gift for the child. Additionally, we have a “Mama” yammer group,
in which we
discuss topics related to raising children, brain storm ideas for activities with them,
post questions for a
recommendation for a doctor, etc.
Quote from a returning mother: “it is a mom-friendly company, and I could
experience it firsthand when I
returned from maternity leave. My manager has prepared a clear plan for my re-
boarding, was ready to
discuss how I want to develop myself as professional, and what flexibility I may
need. I felt supported,
appreciated, and was encouraged to deliver my best.”
Maternity Returners Programme
The Maternity Returners Programme is currently being trialed with a pilot requisition
within our category management team. The aim is to offer a rewarding work
environment and valuable experience to people who are elsewhere disregarded due
to gaps in their work history due to an array of reasons – it could be people
returning from a maternity/parental leave which was not supported by their
previous employer so they had to face unemployment, somebody leaving work to
be a full-time carer for a child, partner or other dependent or somebody who has
faced a long period .
For many in these circumstances, returning to work can be seen as daunting and
also very challenging. A gap in your CV can be debilitating without the right network
or opportunity to return to work, additionally alongside the lack of recent
experience one key problem is a lack of education or understanding on how to
secure a position. The jobs market is constantly changing, updating and redefining
itself meaning new methods, routes and sources are being utilized. If you aren’t
part of a workforce, it can be increasingly difficult to keep ahead of the game when
it comes to recruitment.
Here at HP, we believe that a career break does not have to knock you back to the
start of the career ladder. By offering a supportive environment we can help
returners to thrive in their development, build their confidence and reattune
themselves to working life – whilst building on the work flexibility that HP offers to
work around any responsibilities or dependents they may have.
How does it work?
The scheme is set up to work around maternity cover which otherwise is filled
through contingent workers. The contracts will either be 6 or 12 months fixed term
with the potential to either have a contract extension or permanent offer of
employment following the fixed term period being a key possibility if they choose to
accept.
Ultimately, it is a great channel for both parties – on their side they are getting a fantastic opportunity to
harness their prior skills and build on that growth whilst returning to a steady career in a brilliant
company. Whilst for us we are hoping to be able to encourage top talent back to work and utilize that in
order to define the next generation for us.