Why so many new mothers leave (and how to keep them)

Losing employees after maternity leave is frustrating and expensive.

And when it costs you around £30,000 to replace each employee, every loss matters.

1 in 4 mothers leave their job within a year of returning from maternity leave.

This contributes to £650 million in annual costs to UK businesses.

Why they leave

57% of women say they were treated differently when pregnant or returning to work.

But it’s often not deliberate discrimination, it’s poor planning and awkward situations.

• No one talks to them before they’re due back
• Their manager doesn’t know how to handle the conversation
• The hours don’t work with childcare
• They feel like outsiders in their own workplace

What keeps them

The businesses that retain returning employees do 3 things well:

1. Plan the return properly

• You’re legally allowed to check in and offer KIT days, as long as the employee agrees.
• Get in touch a month before they’re due back to talk about timing, any changes at home and how to make coming back easier.
• Make the most of KIT days as a gentle way to reconnect before they return.

2. Offer flexibility where possible

• Earlier start times for school runs
• Phased returns starting with 3 days
• 1 day working from home
• If these work for your business, small adjustments can make a big difference in keeping good people

3. Train your managers

• Most managers want to help but don’t know what’s appropriate to ask or offer
• They need to know how to discuss flexible working options
• What questions they can ask about childcare needs
• How to make someone feel welcome without making assumptions about what they can or can’t do

The business impact

Getting this right isn’t just about being supportive.

You keep the people you’ve put time and money into training. You avoid the hassle and cost of recruiting replacements. And you show your team that you support them through major life changes.

Get it wrong and you’re facing recruitment costs, training time and the knowledge that other employees are watching how you handle these situations.

Your next step

Protecting your investment in good people makes business sense.

If you’re not confident about how you handle maternity returns or want help with creating a process that works for everyone, get in touch.