Answer to Question 1:

Hi Sara,

Congratulations to you from all at Phoenix!

When returning to work after pregnancy there are a number of issues to discuss with your employer that would help ease you back, make the necessary feeding arrangements and help you to balance caring for your child and work:

• Discuss flexible working arrangements - You should talk to your employer in good time if you want to try to agree a different working pattern to the one you worked before your maternity. With some employers this can be done informally, otherwise there is a set procedure you must follow to make a written request. Your employer will need time to reach a decision on a formal request so it is important to plan ahead for this.
• Discuss parental leave arrangements and what time off to deal with a family emergency is available to you.
• Discuss what financial support is available from the Government (such as tax credits).
• You should let your employer know that you are planning to breastfeed when you return to work and want to be sure of your health and safety protection. Your employer must carry out a risk assessment to identify risks to you as a breastfeeding mother and any risks to your baby. If there are risks they must do all that is reasonable to remove the risks or make alternative arrangements for you. Your employer must also provide you with suitable rest facilities.