Career, Parenthood & finding balance
Returning to work after maternity leave can bring a mix of emotions. There’s the excitement of reconnecting with your career and colleagues, alongside the challenge of adjusting to a completely new routine and finding a balance that works for you and your family.
We caught up with Melissa Reid, Senior Talent Partner at LHi Group, following her return from maternity leave to hear about her experience, the support that has helped her navigate the transition and what she’s learned along the way.
Returning to work after maternity leave
For Melissa, returning to work was a bigger adjustment than she initially expected.
“Honestly, returning to work has been more challenging than I expected. Leaving my daughter and getting back into a routine has been an emotional adjustment, and I think it’s important to be honest about that.”
Rather than pretending the transition was seamless, Melissa found that having the right people around her made all the difference.
“What’s made the biggest difference has been having a supportive team and relationships around me with people who want to see me thrive. Knowing I have people in the business, specifically other mums, who I can talk to and who understand what I’m going through has been a huge help.”
Finding her feet and rebuilding confidence
Returning after an extended period away from work can take time, particularly when so much has changed personally. Melissa credits her colleagues with helping her rebuild her confidence and settle back into working life.
“My amazing team and colleagues have made such a huge difference, especially James, Anne-Marie, Kim, Reesha and Shaina. They were really there for me in those early days back and helped me rebuild my confidence and find my feet again. Having that support around me made the transition so much easier.”
Alongside support from colleagues, practical policies can make a meaningful difference for working parents too.
“I also think practical things, like Little Things Leave, make a huge difference when you’re navigating the inevitable illnesses children pick up in that first year of nursery!”
The importance of community
Melissa has also found support through PACE, one of LHi-IN’s internal communities, which provides a space for parents and carers across LHi Group to connect, share experiences and support one another.
For Melissa, that community has been valuable throughout her journey into parenthood – not only since returning to work.
“PACE is so important. Kimi, our PACE leader, has been an amazing support to me from the early stages of pregnancy right through to returning to work and beyond. I’m super grateful to have a person like her to lean on.”
Being surrounded by people experiencing similar stages of life has also given Melissa somewhere to share both the brilliant and more challenging sides of being a working parent.
“I’m really grateful to have a community like this in the Group where we can share the highs and challenges of parenting with people who ‘get it’. The practical support they’ve rolled out as a committee has been invaluable for new parents like myself.”
Redefining what balance looks like
Becoming a parent hasn’t diminished Melissa’s career ambitions. Instead, it has changed what balance and success look like for her.
“At this stage of my life and career, balance means being ambitious without losing sight of everything else that matters to me. I want to have a career that challenges and fulfils me, while also being a mum that I’m really proud of.”
It’s a reminder that career progression and parenthood don’t have to sit on opposite sides of the equation. With the right environment and support, people can continue to pursue their ambitions while making space for what matters outside of work.
Melissa’s advice for new parents
For anyone preparing to take the same step, Melissa’s biggest advice is to give yourself time, enjoy the experience and remember to look after yourself along the way.
“Take each day as it comes, try your best to be present, and make time for yourself too. Having a child is amazing chaos, and looking after yourself is so important, don’t feel guilty for it!
“Your world and perspective completely change, in the best possible way, and there are so many gorgeous milestones to look forward to.
“I’d also remind myself that everything is a phase. The difficult moments pass, so try not to rush through any of it.”
Supporting our people through every stage
Careers aren’t linear, and neither is life. At LHi Group, we want our people to feel supported as their lives and priorities evolve, whether that’s becoming a parent, returning from an extended period away from work or navigating another significant life change.
Melissa’s experience highlights how much the combination of supportive colleagues, employee communities and practical policies can matter during those transitions.
Most importantly, returning to work doesn’t mean having to choose between being ambitious about your career and being present for your family. As Melissa puts it, it’s about finding the balance that allows you to be proud of both.
At LHi Group, we want our people to feel supported through every stage of their career and life. Discover more about life at LHi and the opportunities to grow your career with us.