Returning to Work in Hong Kong: Your Postpartum Health

Return to work in the middle of the week or consider a phased return

If possible, schedule your return on a Wednesday or Thursday. With only a few days of work to get through during your first week, you can ease your way in. Alternately, consider working part-time at first and easing in to a full-time schedule.

Focus on being as productive as possible during your work hours

Start by setting yourself up by scheduling a meeting with your boss in the first few days back to catch up will go a long way. Focus on going over any important changes and how you should prioritize your time.

If you’re breastfeeding:

• Speak to someone on your team about where and when you will be able to pump.
• Make sure you have a safe workspace and are not exposed to harmful agents.

Get organized at home

Different techniques work for different families but getting organized at home can take a lot of the stress out of the day-to-day. Sit down on Sundays to make a food and activity schedule for the week so your partner, helper and kids are all aware of who is where and who is responsible for what. There are lots of capable hands in your house, it doesn’t all have to be your responsibility!

Your employer cannot discriminate against you or treat you less favorably when you return to work on the grounds of sex, pregnancy and/or family status.

Both direct and indirect discrimination are prohibited. Examples of discrimination include termination, denial of opportunities, and placing you at a disadvantage.

Make some time for yourself

We don’t need to tell you that you have a lot on your plate. Make sure you’re looking after your physical health. That time you take away from your family to go for a walk by yourself or with a friend, attend a class or listen to music will make you a better parent and partner.

If you feel overwhelmed, stressed or depleted, seek support at work and at home

Do some research into what resources are available at your company. A lot of companies will have an employee assistance program, perhaps with resources specific to mothers returning to work such as benefits, support groups, or health talks etc. At work, talk to your supervisor about how and where you should spend your time. At home, know that not everything has to be at 100% every day. Some days it’s ok if the house isn’t spotless or your kids’ clothes don’t match. Even having a helper at home, we all have days when we forgot something like dress-up day at school but in the grand scheme of things, these are minor bumps in the road.