◇On Work After Returning from Childcare Leave◇

"Work-life balance" is a phrase we hear often, isn't it?
I have found myself living as a so-called "working mom"
for about 18 years now.
During that time, I have also had many subordinates.

As I wrote in a previous article,
I personally dislike the term "subordinate."
I don't like describing people as being "below" me, and
I often think, "What does it matter"
that I joined the company a few years earlier? 💦
…However, I think the word "subordinate" is easy to express
and easy to understand,
so I would like to use it here.

Those days when I pushed through with sheer grit

A long time ago, I participated in launching a factory in the Kanto region.
I was in my sixth year of working life at the time.
I got married when my current husband was transferred to Tokyo.
I was also transferred and became the leader of the Kanto team,
which had several subordinates.

On weekdays, my husband was almost always away on business trips,
so I was able to immerse myself in my work.
It was incredibly tough during the startup phase, but
even if it took time, I would use my grit to get it done
was the kind of life I led as a matter of course.

Back then, it was an era where sexist remarks
could be easily made.
Heads of other departments would say things like,
"Why is that woman (me) the leader?"
"Why isn't a man like so-and-so the leader?"
"It's useless talking to you! Contact your boss!"
…and so on; it was an everyday occurrence.
(I would definitely win a lawsuit if it happened now…)
When that happened, I would burn even more with the thought,
"I'll definitely see this through to the end!"
…That was me back when I was full of youthful vigor (lol).

When the launch of that factory settled down,
I became pregnant with my eldest son.
I decided to take maternity and childcare leave.

I returned from childcare leave, but

When my eldest son turned one and a half,
I returned to the Kansai region and resumed work.
However, my position was not as a leader, but in inspection.
With my first child, I had absolutely no breathing room.
I had also switched to shorter working hours.

At that time, what do you think I found most pathetic?
It was

"the half-heartedness of having to leave in the middle because of shorter hours".
Inspections, in particular, are done by multiple people.

However, there were days when it wasn't finished
even when it was time for me to go home on my shorter schedule.
There was plenty of other work besides inspection,
so everything was left unfinished and piled up.
Just a year and a half ago, I was the one who stayed
later than anyone else on the team.
Now, I had no subordinates, but I was a senior.
Not being able to finish my work was more painful than anything else.

A period of transformation

That said, complaining wouldn't lead to progress.
I took stock of my work and
decided to rethink how I approached it.

Up until then, I was the type to
think things through thoroughly before proceeding.
However,there was no longer time for that.
If I had time to hesitate, I would try it first and
correct my course immediately if I thought something was wrong.
I predicted the future while moving forward.
I always kept multiple methods in mind, and if necessary,
I made it so I could immediately try a different approach.

Also, I organized the order of the work
I did during the day.
Work that took time to complete came later.
Work that could be finished quickly
was done without any fuss.
As a result, thepriority of my work changed drastically.
And after a while, I noticed that the speed at which I worked
had increased significantly.

Getting work done with sheer grit might be okay
to experience once.
However, it is impossible to continue that forever.
Even more so, to balance family and child-rearing with work,
I needed a transformation that would break my own values
at some point.

Gratitude and communication

If I were a more dexterous type,
I might have realized this sooner, but 💦
I worried and worried, flipped my priorities,
and thanks to that, I've been able to keep going this far.
Also, the fact that more women have returned to work
after childbirth since I did
is a joy for me, and most of those people
seek out efficient, waste-free work practicesand
have mastered them and are playing active roles.

Now, there are several "mothers" in my current team,
and some of them work shorter hours.
They, too, are carrying out their duties while making
the best adjustments they can.
What supports them and the entire team iscommunication.
Those who leave early organize the work that needs to be done within their hours,
and use morning meetings to confirm progress and arrangements within the team.
When leaving, they provide a solid handover
to those who are staying a little longer.
I am proud that this has resulted in a good cycle,
allowing for efficient work.

Childcare leave and shorter working hours are rights, so
I think you should take them as much as you need.
However, you cannot make progress just by brandishing your rights.
There is someone who will fill the gap when you are not there.
For that person's sake as well, do not neglect
the maximum effort you can make.
And what you should be careful about is
not directing your efforts in the wrong way.
Communicate, be grateful to those around you, andtake care of yourself as well
.Do your best, working moms ✨