A recent study has revealed that it takes parents four months to readjust to the workplace after returning from parental leave. The survey, which polled 1,000 working mums and dads, with children under five, found that 53% were anxious about going back and missing key moments in their child's life such as their first steps.

As a result of this worry, a staggering nine out of ten even contemplated not going back at all. According to the report, two thirds of parents were apprehensive about balancing work with parenting, while 39% were unsure how they would cope with the transition.

The research was commissioned by , which provides any employee returning from parental leave the opportunity to work 80% of their hours for 100% of pay, benefits and holiday for the first six months back at work as part of its family-related leave policy.

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It was unveiled that 77% of parents surveyed weren't aware of policies similar to Vodafone's, but an overwhelming 91% said they would utilise it if it was offered at their own workplace.

The study revealed that upon their return to work, 42% struggled with managing timings and logistics of things such as nursery pickups and childcare, often resulting in them having to work late. Consequently, a staggering 77% felt 'burnt out' upon their return, with the average working parent feeling this way after just four weeks.

Michelle Kennedy, CEO of online parenting community Peanut, who is partnering with Vodafone to encourage UK businesses to reconsider their workplace policies, stated: "Parents bring immense value to the workplace, and as the study shows, essential skills don't disappear when you have a baby; they sharpen.

"When you support parents properly, everyone wins families, businesses, and the economy alike."

According to economic modelling by Development Economics, over £10 billion could be injected into the economy and 440,000 parents could re-join the workforce if these policies were more widely available.

"Returning to work after parental leave is one of the hardest transitions parents have to make," added Michelle, "They are expected to just snap back to their job, career ambitions and the people they were before when in reality, everything has changed."

The data also highlighted the 'parent penalty' - this is where many stop applying for new roles after having a child because what they were looking for didn't offer the support they needed.

Eight in ten said flexible working leads to a better work-life balance, and 68% see an improvement in their mental wellbeing.

“The support to make this transition easier is still rare – that's why policies such as Vodafone’s 80/20 matter," said Michelle.

When it comes to the strengths they bring to the workplace, 43% said multi-tasking is one of the 'parenting skills' that is most applicable to their job. Patience, problem solving, and empathy also ranked among the top transferrable skills.

Nicki Lyons, chief corporate affairs & sustainability officer, Vodafone UK, said: “Better productivity, improved time management, increased ability to multitask – our study shows just some of the skills working parents bring to an organisation.

“But businesses have a responsibility to ensure the right support is in place for parents returning to work."