Stage 4 - Preparing to return to work
Get ready to come back
The Preparing to return to work stage provides tools, tips and resources to help you assess your readiness to go back to work, prepare a return to work proposal and initiate a conversation with your manager on flexible work options.
Each journey is unique. You may have been away for weeks, months or years. You can start preparing for your return to work by reviewing your career goals and aspirations. Use the Career Guide
to help you review and plan your career.
It is crucial that you assess your readiness to return to work. Unfortunately, due to personal and workplace circumstances, some parents may consider returning to the workplace before they are ready, which can make their transition back to work more difficult and overwhelming.
The list of questions below can help you assess your readiness to return to work and your priorities:
- How much time do you want or need to spend with your baby each day?
- How much time and attention do you feel your baby wants or needs from you?
- Are you breastfeeding? For how long?
- How comfortable are you breastfeeding or expressing at work?
- Is there a clean and comfortable place for you to breastfeed or express at work?
- Who will care for your baby while you are at work?
- What family or day care support do you have to help you care for the baby?
- Do you feel physically, mentally and emotionally ready to return to work?
- Are you willing and ready for a part time worker and part time parent role?
- How is your financial situation?
- What are your partner’s expectations regarding your return to work?
- Have you discussed your plans and feelings with your partner?
- Does your partner share household and parenthood responsibilities with you?
- What flexible work options are available at you work and suitable for your role?
- Have you talked to other employees with children in your organisation about how they made it work?
You can attend a Staying Connected workshop, which can help with your transition back to the workplace. If you completed a Staying Connected plan, the Diversity and Inclusion team will contact you about workshop dates. If you haven't registered or your plans change, contact the Diversity and Inclusion team.
2019 Return to Work workshop dates now available - Register now!
As a participant of Transport’s Staying Connected program we are very pleased to be able to offer to you the opportunity to attend one of our upcoming Return to Work Workshops.
2019 Return to Work workshops have now been confirmed for the dates below:
- Wednesday 29th May 2019
- Tuesday 27th August 2019
- Monday 25th November 2019
The workshop will run from 10am to 2pm and will be held at Petersham Training Centre, 2 Trafalgar Street Petersham (room 1.05). A nanny service will be available on the day if you wish to bring your child with you to the workshop.
| How to Register? If you have access to Transport Equip you can register using course code STC02. Alternatively, please email DiversityandInclusion@transport.nsw.gov.au(External link) to confirm your attendance & the following information:
|
Not returning to work just yet? No problem, the Return to Work workshop is run quarterly and more dates for 2020 will be confirmed towards the end of this year.
Return to work proposal
Before drafting your proposal consider the following:
- Days and hours you would like to work
- Child care arrangements
- Role and workplace demands
- Flexible work arrangements that will help you manage your life as a working parent, these arrangements can include:
- Working part time or job sharing
- Returning to full time gradually
- Changing your starting and/or finishing time
- Working from home or another location, if applicable to your role
- Consider you flexible work arrangements and what is negotiable.
Once you have drafted your proposal, use the flexible working employee toolkit to help you prepare for the discussion with your manager and understand their perspective.
When you return from parental leave, you're legally entitled to flexible working arrangements until your child reaches school age. Use the flexible working employee toolkit to explore what that might look like in relation to your role and personal circumstances, and then have a conversation with your manager to explore the options. Contact your manager around 12 weeks before you plan to return to work.
Once you've agreed your arrangement with your manager, you can fill out the appropriate HR forms.
Flexibility conversations
The conversation guide and videos are designed to help prepare and participate in a flexibility conversation effectively.
Conversation Videos
Use this checklist to assess your readiness to return to work and prompt actions to help you get ready.
‘Check in’ and see how you are going. You can also get some ideas of what you can do to ensure you are looking after your health and well-being during different stages of your journey.
Download the PDF version here
Transport Employee Assistance Program
Professional and confidential counselling service provided by an independent company for employees and their immediate family members. The new online portal provides additional support, check out the user guide for instructions on logging in and setting up your very own profile.
| Operating Agency | Provider phone number |
| Transport for NSW | 1300 360 364 |
| DoT | 1300 360 364 |
| Rail Corp | 1300 364 213 |
| Sydney Trains/NSW Trains | 1300 360 364 |
| STA | 1800 337 068 |
| TCA | 1300 667 700 |
Transport HR Advisory
HR support
Phone: 1800 618 445 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Email: TfNSWHR@transport.nsw.gov.au
Diversity and Inclusion
Information on the staying connected program including access to the discussion forum and workshops.
Tresillian Family Care Centres
Child and family health organisation that provides expert parenting advice to families in early years
Phone: 1300 272 736
Online support: www.tresillian.org.au
Beyondblue Pregnancy and new parents
Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE)
Books
Below is a list of books that you may find helpful. Choose what suits you and meets your reading expectations.
Tell your story
- There are no stories to display. Why don't you share one?
Discussion forum
Contacts
