Anna Perrott, chief commercial officer at Panache Cruises UK, USA, and Australia and co-founder of the working-parent forum Back in Time for Bed, emphasizes the importance of sustained support for employees returning from maternity leave. Her company recently invested in Her Edit, a one-day, in-person return-to-work program designed to assist women transitioning back into the workplace after maternity leave.

Perrott highlights that maternity policies often frame parenthood as a singular event, while the transition extends well beyond the initial leave period. “The challenges don’t suddenly stop when somebody returns to work; they change,” she said. Recognizing this, Panache Cruises has adopted a comprehensive approach that begins when an employee announces her pregnancy and continues for approximately two years.

This extended support includes consistent communication focused on employees’ ambitions and professional development throughout the return-to-work phase. By adopting this model, the company aims to acknowledge and address the evolving nature of working parenthood, rather than limiting resources and attention to the maternity leave period alone.

Perrott’s remarks underscore a growing understanding within industries that successful reintegration into the workforce requires more than just leave policies. Long-term engagement and tailored return-to-work programs are increasingly viewed as essential components to support working parents effectively and retain talent over time.