Why Returning to Work Part-Time After Maternity Leave Can Be a Scam (and How You Can Avoid the Pitfalls)

Working part-time as a mum often isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, for many mums, it can feel like a scam. I’ve been through it, and I learned the hard way. So, let me share five reasons why returning to work part-time after maternity leave (even part-time) might not be the dream scenario you imagine—and how you can avoid the common traps.

If you’ve been through it or are planning on making the transition get in touch over on Tiktok where I most more thoughts and advice like this around being a working mum.

1. The Workload Doesn’t Change

When you go part-time, you’d expect that your workload would reduce, right? Well, that’s not always the case. When I dropped from five days to three, my employer didn’t hire anyone to pick up the slack. The work still needed to be done, and guess who was expected to do it in less time? Me.

Even though I had a supportive boss, the reality was that my responsibilities didn’t change. I was still expected to meet deadlines and deliver results, but now I was trying to do it in a fraction of the time. On my days off, I found myself checking emails, answering calls, and feeling like I was constantly working even though I wasn’t physically at my desk. As a result, I was often stressed, trying to juggle two full-time roles—work and motherhood—and it wasn’t sustainable.

So, if you’re returning to work part-time after maternity leave, be sure to have clear conversations with your employer. The reality is that reducing your hours should also mean reducing your workload. Make sure you’re not setting yourself up to do the same job in fewer hours, because that’s a recipe for stress.

2. The Needs of Your Child Change (And Fast)

You might think you have a good handle on the balance between work and parenting, but once your child hits toddlerhood, things can change pretty quickly. When I went part-time after my first child, she was one. At that age, things were manageable—I could still take her out for a coffee and get a few things done. But as soon as she started walking, the demands changed completely.

Toddlers are a whole new level of parenting. They’re physically demanding, running around playgrounds and soft plays, and they require constant mental stimulation. It’s no longer just about keeping them entertained for a few hours. As they grow, they need more of your time, energy, and attention. And that’s on top of the usual challenges of managing a job.

So, when you’re returning to work part-time after maternity leave, it’s important to anticipate how your child’s needs will evolve. You might have an easier time balancing work and parenting when they’re a baby, but once they’re toddling around and becoming more independent, the balance might shift in unexpected ways. Be ready for the reality of those busy days.

3. It Can Be More Lonely Than Maternity Leave

One thing that surprised me when I went part-time was how much lonelier I felt compared to when I was on maternity leave. During maternity leave, I was surrounded by other mums in my antenatal group and at baby groups, and it was easy to meet up for coffee or playdates. But when I returned to work part-time after maternity leave, I found that my mum friends either went back to full-time or their days off didn’t line up with mine.

Making new connections as a working mum is trickier than you might think. You won’t have the same opportunities for casual socialising at baby groups or coffee meet-ups, and it can be hard to find time to connect with others. If you’re returning to work part-time after maternity leave, be prepared for a shift in your social life. You might feel more isolated than you expected, especially if you’re balancing work with a toddler’s energy and attention.

4. Future Maternity Pay Could Be Affected

One aspect that I didn’t fully consider when returning to work part-time after maternity leave was how it would affect my future maternity pay. In the UK, maternity pay is calculated based on your average earnings over the 8 weeks before you go on leave. If you drop to part-time and earn less, your future maternity pay could be impacted. And let’s face it, that’s not something you want to overlook when planning for future children.

While life can be unpredictable (and not everyone plans to have more kids), if you’re returning to work part-time after maternity leave and you think there’s a chance you’ll have another child in the future, it’s worth considering how part-time work might affect your maternity pay. Lower earnings now could mean lower pay down the line.

5. The Pension Gap Is Real

The pension gap between men and women is a major issue that many of us don’t think about when we’re in the midst of juggling work and children. When you take time off for maternity leave or switch to part-time work, your pension contributions decrease. That means that by the time you reach retirement, you could end up with a significantly smaller pension pot compared to your male counterparts.

This is especially important when you're returning to work part-time after maternity leave. If you’re working fewer hours and earning less, your pension contributions will reflect that. It’s something that can easily be overlooked in the short term, but it can have a big impact on your financial security in the future.

How to Navigate These Challenges

So, does that mean part-time work as a mum is a lost cause? Not at all! But it’s important to go into it with your eyes wide open. These challenges are real, and it’s crucial to plan ahead and set yourself up for success when you’re returning to work part-time after maternity leave.

Here are a few tips to help you navigate these pitfalls:

• Negotiate your workload: If you’re reducing your hours, make sure your workload is also adjusted. Have clear conversations with your employer about what you can realistically achieve in fewer days.

• Plan for your child’s development: Consider how your child’s needs will change as they grow. You may find it easier to balance work and a baby, but toddlers need a lot more attention—and that can affect your work-life balance.

• Don’t neglect your social connections: Being part-time doesn’t mean you have to be isolated. Join parenting groups, attend meet-ups, and find time to connect with other mums who understand what you're going through.

• Think about the long-term: Returning to work part-time after maternity leave isn’t just about today’s challenges—it’s about your future, too. Consider how part-time work will impact your maternity pay and pension contributions in the years to come.

Returning to work part-time after maternity leave doesn’t have to feel like a balancing act that’s doomed to fail. By planning ahead, setting boundaries, and being aware of the potential pitfalls, you can make part-time work actually work for you and your family. If you’ve been through it or are planning on making the transition get in touch over on Tiktok where I most more thoughts and advice like this around being a working mum.