What Is a Returnship and Why They Are Awesome

A growing trend in the workplace is returnships. Returnships are programs that help working moms and other caregivers return to work after taking time off to stay at home. These awesome programs include:

• Different flex-work, job-sharing, and part-time options.
• Temporary options so the employer and the mom get a trial period to make sure that returning to work will be best for them both.
• On-the-job, paid training to get them up to speed in any changes in their field in their absence.

Programs like this help employers attract and retain talented workers and help mothers get back to work and continue their careers with minimal interruption.

Many major companies, particularly tech companies, have these kinds of programs, such as:

• Apple
• Campbell Soup Company
• GM
• Oracle
• PayPal
• PepsiCo
• Udemy
• Walmart

The list of companies with returnships is growing every year, and the list above is not a complete list. Google “returnship” go to pathforward.org for a more complete and constantly updated list.

If your company doesn’t have such a program, suggest it to HR. As an individual, you can get some of these benefits by participating in a re-entry program. Re-entry programs won’t necessarily help you with the particular company you worked for before, but they will help you get back in the game by starting off (again) on the right foot.

By Bethanie Ryan