Comeback Coach

Ask me a Q

My guest today is Emily Wheen, a senior Recruiting Lead at Google, managing a team that recruits the best technical, sales, marketing and partnerships talent for Google Cloud in APAC. She’s originally from the UK and has spent the last 10 years living and working in Asia with her husband. She’s currently based in Singapore, where they’ve spent the last 5 years, and prior to that lived in Tokyo. Emily had her first baby in 2020, was promoted on maternity leave, and returned to work in 2021 post 6.5 months of leave.

Despite COVID, and not being able to see family and friends in the UK for 2+ years, she says she had a very positive experience of becoming a  mother. However, when it came to returning to work she was diagnosed with post-natal depression and anxiety which led to Emily taking an extra 2.5 months of leave and a serious knock to her confidence. She returned to work for the second time in October 2021 and says she finally feels like herself again.

** LINK TO FREE EVENT FLAGGED IN THE EPISODE**
Tuesday 28th June 8-8.45pm BST with Lucy Dodd and Amanda Newman
"How to go gently and make a sustainable return to work after sick leave"

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. 

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.

Ask me a Q

My guest today is Beatrice Gloor, whose life changed dramatically when she was en route to a client meeting in Silicon Valley. Beatrice has 20 years’ experience as a Senior Relationship Manager and leader in highly demanding, volatile, fast-paced global corporates.

In 2015 Beatrice was in a car accident which caused an aneurysm, six mini strokes, severe concussion, internal injuries, loss of short term memory and various cognitive impairments. She was out of the business for about a year and despite all predictions she made a full recovery which was twice as fast as those with similar injuries.  She's a true go-getter who was born and raised in Switzerland and has lived around the world.

** LINK TO FREE EVENT FLAGGED IN THE EPISODE**
Tuesday 28th June 8-8.45pm BST with Lucy Dodd and Amanda Newman
 "How to go gently and make a sustainable return to work after sick leave"

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. 

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.

Ask me a Q

Hello I’m Jessica and my guest today has been in the civil service for 12 years since she gained a Masters degree in Economics. 

She’s expecting her third child and has two young children already – a 6 and a 4 year old – and without any family nearby it makes it very hard to carve time out for themselves, although she says she really got into gardening over the last 3 years and turned into a plant enthusiast!

Our conversation is about preparing for leave as a leader and we’re talking when Christina is 6 weeks away from going on maternity leave. As you’ll hear, Christina is very energised and wants to put herself in the best possible position for her return by having useful conversations and growing her network before she goes.

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. 

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.

Ask me a Q

Hello and welcome to the first episode of season three of Comeback Coach, the podcast for people returning to work after a break.

Sally Williams is a journalist at ITN who presents the weather and reports for ITV London News. She returned to work after her third child and having had a career break in the US when her husband’s work for ITN took them there. She got a call from her boss when her daughter was 4 ½ months old asking if she’d consider coming back freelance one day a week. She did and she’s now a permanent member of the team doing work she loves.

I had a big smile on my face all the way through my chat with Sally – she really is a born storyteller and entertainer and I think you’re going to love it.

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. 

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.

Ask me a Q

Hello and welcome to the last episode of season two of Comeback Coach., the podcast for people returning to work after a break.

It felt fitting for this season finale to talk to someone from Rayden Solicitors, the award-winning Tier 1 family law firm that’s sponsored the podcast from the beginning. And my guest is Abby Westell, Legal Director at Rayden’s which involves lots of client contact, running the office, managing the team, supervising junior lawyers and business development. 

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. 

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.

Ask me a Q

My guest today is Danielle, the Head of Master Planning and Landscape at a multi-disciplinary property firm. She started a phased return to work when her baby was 8 months old and she’s now been back four months. We’re talking about the path to partner and the support she’d like as she makes that transition.

As you’re listening, if you’ve got a question or want to tell me about your return to work please find me on Instagram @comebackcommuk because I really do love hearing from you.

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. 

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.

Ask me a Q

My guest today is Cheney Hamilton, founder of Find Your Flex, the flexible job site that’s on a mission to create a better work culture for future generations. It was developed off the back of her 16 years employment in recruitment advertising, which came to an end after she had her second daughter. 

She’s married to Liam and they have three children who are 6, 4 and 2. Their eldest child, Bea, was born with hip dysplasia and it was an incredibly difficult time for both Cheney and Liam. 

Liam was the first man in his organisation to take Shared Parental Leave, and that kicked in when Bea was five months old and Cheney returned to work full time. Childcare outside the family wasn’t an option at the time because of Bea’s condition and Liam found being home alone with Bea a challenging time. Yet despite all their trials, they’ve triumphed.

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. 

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.

Ask me a Q

My guest today is Deborah, a lawyer who specialises in inheritance and trust disputes. We’re talking when Deborah has been back at work from maternity leave a few months and she’s feeling that the world of work is very different to how it was before she went on leave. She wants to get a sense of control and find time for herself.

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. 

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.

EPISODE CONTENT:

6:17 Building a routine - and flexing routines but still achieving what’s important.

8:08 - Ideal day is IN THE OFFICE not WFH

18:55 - Why you should mark exercise/hobbies/alone time in your work diary.

20:26 - Ultradian rhythm and why you shouldn’t just ‘power on through’ 

25:37 - The power of having one long day in the office a week

29:26 - What did Debbie take away from the coaching session?

30:55 - Starting new hobbies (that fits better with life right now: Debbie moves from ceramics to making YouTube films)

32:46 - The psychological state of ‘flow’ and the benefits

34:05 - Why everyone needs a creative hobby (according to Debbie)

34:48 - do housework when your children are awake and do things for yourself when they’re sleeping

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.

Ask me a Q

54,000 women a year are forced out of their jobs due to pregnancy or for taking maternity leave and 77% have encountered some form of discrimination in the workplace. Those stats are lifted from the back of the brilliant book “Pregnant Then Screwed: The Truth about the Motherhood Penalty and how to fix it” by my guest Joeli Brearley.

It’s not right, it’s not OK and in many ways I hope this episode doesn’t resonate with you. It was a joy to chat to Joeli because she’s a woman taking action on something important and I’ve long admired her.

I hope you enjoy it and if you want to tell me about how it’s helped or inspired you please come and chat to me on Instagram or twitter using the handle @comebackcommUK.

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

.
.

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.

Ask me a Q

My guest today is Katy, a marketing professional who’s been back at work from her second parental leave for 18 months. She returned during the pandemic to a wholesale restructuring of the marketing team which led to her heading for redundancy. However, two weeks before she was due to leave, role that was perfect for her came up and so she stayed – but it’s only for a year. Our conversation took place when Katy had been in this new role six months and she’s feeling uncertain, a little insecure and wanting to fortify her confidence. 

HOW WAS YOUR RETURN TO WORK?

Could your return to work have been smoother? Could your line manager have been more empathetic?

We’re on a mission to keep everyone everywhere feeling confident, connected and cared for when they take extended leave from work. Our Comeback Community™ employee experience is designed to do just that.

We work with employers such as ITV, BlackRock and Lily’s Kitchen. Share these two short films (less than 2 minutes) with your HR Team today:

• Comeback Community employee experience – WHAT is it?
• Comeback Community employee experience – WHY do you need it?

.
.

BE IN TOUCH & FREE GOODIES TO SUPPORT YOU:

• Instagram: @comebackcommuk – talk to me, send me your questions, let me know about your return to work experience and what you think of the podcast.
  
  
• Twitter: @ComebackCommUK
  
  
• FREE Career Fuel guide for Professional Impact & Progression: 
  
  
• Comeback Conversations - FREE, monthly, online problem-solving sessions with Jessica and special guest.
  
  
• Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
  
  
• If you’d like to have a coaching conversation with Jessica for a future episode of Comeback Coach please contact us via the website.

MORE FOR YOU

• DM Jessica on instagram @comebackcommuk
• Get Jessica's FREE fortnightly note, Pivotal.
• Watch our coaching Success Stories. 
• Take our new FREE Career Fuel diagnostic - and get a personalised free report.
• Read Mothers Work! How to Get a Grip on Guilt and Make a Smooth Return to Work by Jessica Chivers.
• Contact us about executive coaching.