How long of maternity/family leave would not hurt your career as a woman in corporate environment?

35 Comments

1. AnonymousFebruary 7,2022 at 11:10PM UTC

   I was away from the corporate world for 4.5 years to have and raise our oldest children and I stepped back into the working world with a Manager of Operations role at a small business.

   I did it using a network - someone who knew someone who needed something. I didn't expect to land in the same place I left, but I also didn't allow myself to be reduced to something entry-level. I created a 90-day plan that I gave them during the interview to show them what I could do with their needs and treated it consultatively. I knew my own value. 18 months later I was recruited to a large national organization with a much higher salary and title because I crammed those first 18-months with achievements. Perhaps during your time away, you can take some small freelance assignments that are on par with your current work so that you have a portfolio of some designs to show when you return?

2. Sabrina CortesFebruary 8,2022 at 12:07AM UTC

   That is a very personal decision and I think it looks different for everyone based on their financial situation and other things. That being said, whatever you decide, you might want to take some online courses to keep you up to speed in your industry and update your resume as you complete the courses/workshops, etc. This way potential employers will see that even though you were away from the workforce, you still had an interest in the industry and you invested in yourself to make yourself marketable to them.

   I hope this helps. :)

3. Sweet CarolineFebruary 8,2022 at 12:41AM UTC

   I manage a corporate A&E firm. 3 years max is all I would risk, beyond that your technical skills, network and office skills will suffer. Stay in touch with your colleagues, continue to attend IIDA or IDSA events depending what your city has active.

4. Barb HansenFebruary 8,2022 at 12:55AM UTC

   My comment is not going to answer your question, but from an outsiders (I'm Canadian, now living the US) perspective, here is my response.

   This is a very-American focused question as most developed nations in the world offer months-long maternity leave. The average minimum maternity leave (globally) is 26 weeks and in many developed countries, people who give birth take regularly take 9 to 12 months without anyone including their companies batting an eye. And their partners can take months long paternity leave.

   Millions of new parents, including new parents in high-tech roles leave the workforce for their maternity leave, and return to work months later without any issues.

   I know I didn't answer your question because in the US, maternity leave has so many "issues" attached to it and if you live in the US, you have to deal with those issues.

5. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 1:17PM UTC

   One year, no issues. We have team members in countries that get 12-18 months and it just goes on. You lose some salary compounding but nothing else.

   Multiple years in a fast changing field? It depends on your priorities (and ego to a degree). I was out 8 years, but I freelanced the whole time (very light, flexible) so wasn’t completely out of the loop. And it took a minute to reignite my comp. if I had stayed in, I would definitely have had the opportunity to be at a higher level, but I don’t get caught up in that personally (only you can know if that would drive you bonkers).

   I really enjoyed my time home with my kids. I’m also really glad I stayed connected as it gave me choices when I wanted/needed them. There is absolutely no single right answer to this one, though. Good luck with all of it!

6. Melissa NobileFebruary 9,2022 at 1:21PM UTC

   The older your children get, the more they need you. This sounds completely counterintuitive, but that’s just the way it works.

   Take the time you need. Consider working part time in the field you love and enjoy! Once the children are in school, continue the part time gig, because they will need you. They won’t know how to tell you, but they do need you.

   I stayed home to raise my children. I worked a bunch of different part time jobs when we needed a little extra cash - but my husband was home with them when I was not. Do I regret my time at home? No. Will I ever get back to doing what I went to college and graduate school to do? Who knows?

   Do what works best for your family.

7. Julie AndrewsFebruary 9,2022 at 1:37PM UTC

   These are great answers. There are so many ways to keep your toe dipped in the water of arenas with ever changing dynamics to stay relevant-love here that others are stating that is exactly what they did. It’s what I did too. I’m on the back end now and I’ll tell you that you won’t ever regret the time spent with kids. It may not feel as rewarding in the thick of it, but at the end looking back, it was everything. To them and to me. And the career in a different way can be kept rocking along. Good luck to you!

8. Lori CasoFebruary 9,2022 at 1:39PM UTC

   I stayed involved in my career field part time while my three kids were young.

   Remember part time can be 10 hrs a week. You can also remain involved through pro bono work or being active with a professional association.

   I’ve had a few friends that completely stepped away for 5+ years and it was difficult for them to re-enter the workforce.

   One quick personal observation: You may enjoy 10 hours out of the house and away from the kids… made me a better, “saner” mother.

9. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 1:44PM UTC

   All I am saying is do what you need to do - it is your attitude/behavior/perception that will either validate or make you feel guilty about your choice. The comments about if you do stay home - figure out how to stay relevant in your filed - network, freelance, etc. Things are changing at lightening speed and a lot of companies aren't willing to hire and train. They want someone with relevancy, experience and ready to hit the ground running. I will tell this from a perspective of a child whose mother worked full time during the 60'and 70's while my brother and I were at home and in school. She and my dad both worked full time outside of the home. One to pay the bills and the other to provide for a lot of nice and fun things for our family. Eventually my mom outpaced my dad on the pay scale but both stayed employed full time. To me it was the norm - most of my friend's mothers stayed home and my mom worked. It taught me life skills - we all shared in chores, cooking, cleaning, etc. There was no one sitting at home to pick up after us, make all of the meals, clean the house, run to school every time I forgot my school assignment or lunch. I learned how to ride a school bus to and from school - no parent sitting for an hour or more in the pickup line. Occasionally, I thought about what it would be like to have a stay at home mom, but quite honestly it didn't last very long. My mom working outside of the home is probably the only thing that saved both of us from killing each other. We never really got along even when I was a baby. They have those old home movies of where I didn't want anything to do with her and would go to my dad every time.

10. MidwestMaven456February 9,2022 at 4:27PM UTC

    This will be one of the most important decisions you make in your life. The best advice that I ever got about work was this: To put things in perspective, know that when you leave for another job, move or die, you will be replaced. Remember this and make your family the priority in your life, because no one at work really cares for you.

    Get other people’s opinions and options about what that they did, but remember that what is good for you and your family should be the driving force. It is not the same for everyone.

    If you can keep your hand in the work place by working part-time or volunteering, taking a class or doing freelance work, do it. Many stay-at-homes do that to get a break and have adult conversation. I volunteered for everything with my kids and used all of my skills for speaking, organizing, and teaching. Just call it an unusual or non-typical resume.

    I lived all that, so I know it first-hand. I chose to leave a very lucrative career, because after being home on maternity leave, I couldn’t imagine leaving my precious gift from God with anyone else. I handed notice and didn’t look back.

    Most importantly, you will not be wasting your education or skills, so don’t listen to naysayers. You will be raising kids who know that they are your priority and not just an after-thought in your lives. You will read to them, teach them, role model for them and use all of your skills to raise an amazing generation of movers and shakers who will change the world for the better.

    You will not regret if for a minute. You will be able to have a balanced home life with your husband and children, even if it is on a budget. (Check out Dave Ramsey to learn how to do that) You will spend a day reading to your kids, get a surprise hug, make a macaroni necklace and play Candyland for 2 hours straight, and you will be making solid, well balanced, healthy and happy kids who will have memories that are priceless instead of a bunch of stuff you bought them out of guilt for not spending time with them.

11. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 2:00PM UTC

    Lots depends upon the industry, nature of the job and perceived value of the performer.

    I have seen clients in their probationary period let go from their jobs, I have seen others passed over tor promotion and others using this life change to do something entirely different. Some have gone back to school for a degree, others earned micro credentials and still more have opted out of the workplace as their values shifted.

    Check out the industry and the company first as such is a factor.

12. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 2:24PM UTC

    Family comes first. Period. Does every company/recruiter/HR embrace that mentality? Likely not. As a someone who has been in HR and Recruiting for almost a decade. I say you do what feels right for you and your family. If you are able, take continuing education and stay up to date on trends during the 1-3 year period you are out. I personally never ask why anyone has a gap on their resume because it none of my business. I will inquire about continued education and how they are staying up to date on trends when unemployed though.

13. Carol Fishman CohenFebruary 9,2022 at 2:29PM UTC

    HI - If you anticipate leaving the workforce there are a couple of things you can do now that will make your return to work smoother later.

    One is to DOCUMENT. Write down now, while you are still working, anecdotes from milestone moments in your work experience - positive or negative- any time you learned something or grew professionally. You will need these anecdotes later when coming back from career break to reference in interviews and job applications and will thank yourself for generating them in real time vs having to recreate the past years later.

    The other thing is to NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS - people senior to you and peers but also JUNIOR people, as they will be moving up while you are on career break and can sometimes open a door for you a few years later.

    Consider that most of the "relaunchers" we speak with anticipate taking a short 1-2 year career break but then life happens and their career breaks end up being longer than anticipated. Keep up any credentials or licenses while you are on career break.

    Also can you explore CONTRACTING BACK to your employer? This can be a win win because the employer does not have to give you benefits, you are not part of their full time headcount, and you can gain the schedule flexibility you need as you meet your growing family's needs.

    Finally, understanding that you are not going on career break in order to be spending all your time figuring out how to get back in, when you feel ready, consider taking an online class or certificate program and/or talk to old colleagues to start to learn new acronyms, language, products, technology upgrades etc. A Civil engineer told us she was out for 8.5 years and missed 12 upgrades of autocad. Getting up to date in Autocad was top priority for her.

    There is no "best time" to decide to have kids so proceed with your plans and work your career around it. Career breaks are a lot more normalized now, especially because of Covid.

    Best of luck to you in whatever decisions you make going forward, Carol

14. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 3:17PM UTC

    I’m not a recruiter or anything but I’m having the same issue in a different sense I’m not leaving my job but currently pregnant and don’t receive enough maternity leave from my company. I’m taking more than they allow and at this point I don’t really care. I think it’s ridiculous that as women we are so worried about what is ok and what isn’t when it comes to our family and even our mental health. I read stories of men taking sabbaticals to “find themselves” for a year or more and they get applauded and come back at a higher rank in title and pay. You want to take time to take care of a family and you’re worried. Just makes me so angry.

15. Cyndi RosenblattFebruary 9,2022 at 3:23PM UTC

    Just wanted to say that there is some excellent advice provided here. I love the idea of contracting back to your company (presuming you have a good relationship) for some random projects down the road, as long as you and they can agree to firm boundaries. Earliest potential start date for projects, max number of hours/week and weeks in a row you are willing to commit to a project, downtime in between projects, no travel, ability to turn down a project that involves too much, as examples. This keeps a gap entirely off your resume, keeps you current in the field, and still gives you the flexibility to do whatever you need to do. Freelancing in general is fine, but setting up your own business and managing it requires a lot of extra time above and beyond the work that you enjoy. It can provide valuable new skills, but if you want to focus on the creative side, contracting would be a much better option.

    Best of luck on your plans and I hope you have a smooth transition to your next adventure!

16. AnonymousFebruary 10,2022 at 2:38PM UTC

    I lucked out in that I was able to freelance for former clients because my agency was switching directions and retiring those accounts, so it was a beautiful middle ground of only having to do the work and not have to hustle to find it or run the risk of getting sucked back into full time work for part time pay.

    Which is my other bit of advice…employers are more flexible about reduced hours these days. But know your company and how well you/they can adhere to time commitments- set days/hours or do project pricing and work at your own schedule. But do not get into the trap of taking a reduction in pay and then end up working nearly full time anyway because everyone around you assumes everyone is on the same schedule.

17. Sara TalcottFebruary 9,2022 at 3:25PM UTC

    I took 8 weeks with my first (not enough) and 4 weeks (inhumane, but I was the only paycheck) with my second, both in highly competitive startup environments.
    I would never do this again. It was incredibly harmful for my mental health and I'm still undoing some of the damage. Don't worry about becoming un-relevant. Take the time you need and want. Your career will be waiting for you. You don't want to work for a company that doesn't respect your role as a parent; if taking 1-3 years having kids is looked upon as unfavorable, perhaps you should make a career change to a sector that isn't as tone-deaf to what working women need to be happy and healthy at work and at home.

18. Ashton CreelFebruary 9,2022 at 3:27PM UTC

    While I’m not yet there in my personal life, I appreciate the question and the variety of answers provided here!

19. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 3:29PM UTC

    Hello, So many wonderful ideas here! I wish I had had this resource before I began my break years ago. I left a corporate position when my daughter was born thinking it would be easy with my education and work history to return. As Carol noted, lots of life happened, and I ended up staying out of the workforce much longer than originally anticipated. It has been wonderful to have that time with my children. But, doing the prep work that it takes to get back in feels impossible now with a family and a house and a parent who needs assistance, etc.

    I would encourage anyone who would like to/needs to take a career break to create a detailed return plan. Mine would, in retrospect, look like this:

    • Updating my resume
    • Creating a detailed list/database of all achievements and all job duties. Include numbers/measurements (%, $) and the impact your work has had on clients and the company.
    • Create written responses to the most frequently asked interview questions. And as Carol noted, so important, write down in great detail those anecdotes. If you take an extended break, you may not recall helpful details.
    • Create a contact list and a networking plan that outlines how and how often you will stay in touch. Consider who you will ask to serve as references for you in the future, and keep in touch.
    • Create a continuing ed plan so you can stay on top of industry developments and hop online and take classes, attend webinars, etc. when life allows. This might include industry journal subscriptions, industry group memberships, etc. Budget for keeping these connections active.
    • Create a file including: multiple writing samples, performance evaluations, e-mail kudos, thank you notes, awards, course completion certificates, work teams you participated on, etc..
    • Track any volunteer work you do and add those contacts to your contact list and the descriptions, anecdotes, and dates to your database.

    Future you will be so glad you invested the time in preparing a job search kit now. Good luck on your journey!

20. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 4:58PM UTC

    Yes, this. All of this. Keep your network fresh and alive - this is key. I've been out of the workforce for 12 years and it feels like everyone moved on and now I'm stuck without current references. Tragic.

21. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 6:18PM UTC

    I am in the same situation, and I'm not sure what I am going to do. It's been over 15 years. So much happened in the interim, and I lost touch. Sending supportive and caring vibes your way.

22. Ann BraunFebruary 9,2022 at 5:53PM UTC

    Wow! This response is priceless! You are so generous to share your personal reflections.

23. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 4:09PM UTC

    This was my original plan when I had my first. I left a demanding career that required quite a bit of travel. Within 6 months, I was looking for work again because I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. I had trouble coping with the monotony of taking care of a newborn and losing my sense of self. My doctor's recommendation was to find something part-time.

    I am a digital marketer, also very technology driven, so I picked up contract work for almost 3 years. One of my freelance clients was amazing and extended me an offer that was flexible. Doing freelance helped me stay on top on my industry, allowed me to work how I wanted to work, and have another baby! I also didn't feel pressure to take a job I wasn't thrilled about because as 1 recruiter put it "I was out of the game" (it was 6 months, that guy was crazy)! I was able to show my value to my client on my terms and gave me what I needed to have balance.

24. Dr. Linnie CarterFebruary 9,2022 at 6:33PM UTC

    You have received great advice. One of my team members is pregnant with her fourth child. She had all of her children while working part-time from home while on my team. She sets her own schedule, and she produces stellar work. We love having her on the team. I would hire a million more moms like her if I could. With the right organization and leader, you CAN "have your cake and eat it too."

25. Cyndi RosenblattFebruary 9,2022 at 9:06PM UTC

    Thank you for supporting your staff and being such a great role model for how this could look in a people-first business model!

26. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 6:45PM UTC

    All wonderful ideas. My children are grown and as I look back on my career, I'm most grateful that I took on part-time work and worked from home until I was ready to jump back into it full time. I had a little slippage in career status and pay but not nearly as much as my friends who left the workforce for years. I am now in the C-Suite but they have taken on jobs that, even today, don't reflect their past experience or even their abilities. In this technology-driven world, I think it would matter even more to keep your skills up.

27. AnonymousFebruary 9,2022 at 7:53PM UTC

    I was a top-award winning salesperson that had 3 kids, and took 1.5yrs 'away'. I had wanted to stay a SAHM, but God had other plans, and financially not do-able since I was the higher earner at that time. I had to take kind of a crappy job when I reentered the workforce, and then another crappy job after that, until my former employer had an openning. Been back with former employer for 10 yrs.+ and have taken several promotions in that time...

    Everyone's journey looks different, and the world is much more accepting of off-ramping parents, and work re-entry. Other poster comment to stay relevant with nonprofit work, association activities, networking, freelancing are all great suggestions.

    What I have found in my own journey is that the kids needed me more as they got older. I traveled a lot when they were little, and now that they are older, I don't want to miss their milestones and I strive to be a prominent influence as they come into adulthood. In my opinion, I got this part right.

28. Kimberly McKenzie-KlemmFebruary 9,2022 at 10:15PM UTC

    2 months away is standard for those women still interested in their career with their husband's support. Most larger companies are family friendly and you need to check your employer's policies. I know when I worked at Boeing, they had so many women in senior and less senior positions sporting pregnancies that they made a breast-milk lactating room for women returned to their desk so that these women could fill up some bottles for "feeding time" later. (Yes, there was refrigeration as well!)

29. Aradhana MudambiFebruary 9,2022 at 11:52PM UTC

    Im going to answer based on my own experience. I ended up out of the work force for 7 years. My first two years, I was full time taking coursework towards my doctorate. I had my child at the end of the second year. The next three years, I was in the dissertation phase. The first year of that, I did nothing towards my doctorate. The second two years, I worked on my dissertation with my kid present. We went to meetings together. I took jobs somewhat but not really related to my field that I could do from home. This broadened my horizons. My last year with her, I put her in a preschool for two days a week and did pro Bono work. I also read a lot during nap time to catch up. When I went back in, many organizations did not call me for an interview, but one did, and I went back in with a promotion compared to when I had left. Seven years later, I’m completely happy with where I am professionally and love how close I am with my daughter. I’m not saying that everything will work for you the same way, but it’s one person’s experience.

30. Eloisa JacintoFebruary 10,2022 at 5:31AM UTC

    Hey there. Taking a break to build your family and create great memories with your child is a noteworthy plan. You can always stay relevant despite the gap by continuing to develop yourself holistically in the process e.g., develop new connections and networks, take bite-size courses to keep you updated, pickup a new hobby which you can do during your downtime., etc. Learning never stops and I’m sure you will be able to find a company that embraces your new status and can see beyond the gap when you are ready to go back. Good luck!

31. Thalia MoshosFebruary 10,2022 at 2:18PM UTC

    We SERIOUSLY need federal paid maternity leave. Almost every other country has it except for us.

32. AnonymousFebruary 10,2022 at 3:04PM UTC

    Is it really all-or-nothing? Can you work 20 hours/week for a few years?

33. Veronika Strnadova-NeeleyFebruary 10,2022 at 4:35PM UTC

    I am mid 30s, a tech professional with a Ph.D. in computer science, and expecting my third child. It's so, so difficult to know what will work for you and your family. For me, I loved being with the kids more than anything and changed plans after having kids. With this third one, I plan to take at least 6 months off, then go part time, and I don't know when I would be willing to go back to full time. I am also lucky because although I've been the main income earner in our family the past few years, my husband recently landed a good job that would allow us to feel financially secure even if I am part time or (less so, but not drowning in bills) not working. I am also lucky because though I may fall behind in some state of the art science in my field, I know enough and have enough technical skill to be confident that I can find better-paying or more flexible employment if I need it.

34. Karen GongawareFebruary 10,2022 at 8:15PM UTC

    While being home, take online courses in the latest greatest design software for your field. Get certificates or diplomas in those too. What about free lancing as a side hustle? Options are out there!

35. Kate Eberle WalkerFebruary 11,2022 at 3:32PM UTC

    I have two daughters (now 10 and 13) and took a 3 month maternity leave for each. It felt at the time like a long time to be out of the office, but with reflection and perspective, it didn't really matter how long the leave was. What mattered was how I handled my work when I came back from leave. I really had to re-assert myself when I came back from each leave, reminding people that I was there and serious about my work. It was frustrating to have to fight to regain my place, but once I did my career kept moving forward, and I think it would have been the same if I had taken more, or less, time off. So I guess my advice is to do what feels right for you once you have the baby, and trust that you'll prove your value at work both before and after!