Back with balance: Hadia's return from maternity leave

The journey since returning to work from maternity leave has been rewarding and empowering. I’m part of the Finance Placements team, where I go on placements to clients to support a range of finance-related activities, such as audit support, month-end reporting, finance system implementations, and process improvement. The landscape we work in is fast-moving and constantly evolving, so being able to catch up after spending time away is essential. That’s why returning with the right support and mindset has made all the difference to me.

My biggest concern upon returning was that I wouldn’t be able to manage work and motherhood side by side. I was anxious about my daughter settling into nursery and feared constantly falling behind – both at home and at work. But the reality turned out to be much more manageable than I’d imagined. It took a short time to adjust, but things gradually fell into place. My daughter began enjoying her time at nursery, and I was able to establish a work-life balance that truly worked for me, my family and my team.

The firm’s policies supporting returning mothers are truly commendable. Flexible working hours, carers’ leave and mentorship made a world of difference. I was able to return to work part-time, which eased the transition immensely. Even my client assignments were thoughtfully aligned with my circumstances, and any requests I made during challenging times were met with understanding and care.

Returning to work while you’ve just entered the world of motherhood is hard. Re-adjusting to a professional mindset while striving to be the best version of yourself – both as a mother and as an employee – can be both mentally and physically taxing. However, my experience has been genuinely supportive and empowering. 

Even before I began my maternity leave, I had concerns about the duration and flexibility of my time off. But when I talked this through, I was offered multiple options to tailor my leave according to my needs. Upon my return, I was given flexible working hours, the opportunity to connect with a mentor to guide me through the transition, and regular check-ins to ensure I felt supported. I cannot stress enough how much relief this supportive approach has given me throughout this life-altering phase.

I feel truly lucky to be part of such a thoughtful and supportive team. I want to take a moment to appreciate my people manager, Kimberley Orton. She’s been nothing short of amazing – supportive, understanding, and always ready with a solution. From the early days of my pregnancy through my maternity leave and return to work, she’s been a steady source of reassurance and guidance. I also feel incredibly grateful to my colleagues, particularly Sam Harrison and Jazib Gillani. Both reached out to me personally – before and after my leave – to check in, listen, and ease my concerns about my growth and career direction at the firm.  

The firm provides excellent tools to support the transition back to work, which have been incredibly helpful during this transformative time. My advice to anyone preparing to return to work from maternity or family leave would be to speak openly with their people manager about what support they need and any concerns they have. Having these conversations is so important to find a balance that works for everyone.