Your team is a team even when someone is away. Pregnancy and having a baby are the start of a new life - but they don't have to mean the end of your working relationships. As a manager, you can do a lot to ensure that new mothers don't feel excluded, forgotten or 'written off'.
💡 As a driver, what should you look out for when dealing with new mothers?
1. Keep them inside the circle
Many people tend to forget about colleagues who go away for longer periods of time - whether on maternity leave or GYED. But a simple "How are you?" or a simple acknowledgement with a team photo can do wonders.
2. Don't burden it, but don't exclude it either
Staying in touch does not mean putting work or expectations on the shoulders of new mothers. But the opportunity for recognition is a thoughtful way to show that they still matter and are an important part of the team culture.
3. Communicate transparently and flexibly
Plan ahead: return to work, part-time work or gradual reintegration are all areas where managerial flexibility and empathy will pay off in the long run.
🐝 New at Beeward: the debut of the Babee status
At Beeward, special attention is now given to colleagues who are stay-at-home mums. The new Babee status will allow you to:
- Remain members of the hive - so there is no disconnect between the team and the mother.
- Don't pay a monthly fee for them - this is an important aspect of cost-conscious HR operations.
- Share in recognition, kind gestures - e.g. for a birthday, the arrival of a baby, a name day or an anniversary.
This small thoughtfulness can make a big difference - on a human and corporate level.
🎯 Why is it worth it for you as a leader?
- Strengthens the employer brand.
- Increases loyalty and return rates.
- It contributes to building an empathetic, people-centred organisational culture.
🐝 Final thought
Babee status is not just a technical feature of Beeward - it's a gesture that sends a message: a colleague is not only valuable as long as he or she comes into the office. A team is strong when it can stay connected - even when life takes one or more of its members elsewhere.
