Empowering professionals to return
with renewed confidence, clarity and presence.
Return To Work combines executive coaching and image consulting to support confident career transitions—for returners and the managers who enable their success.
Boost Employee Engagement
Returners and caregivers feel seen, supported and valued, driving re-engagement and alignment.
Improve Talent Retention
Support mechanisms help prevent attrition and empowers returners to advance.
Streamlined Process
Free up managerial time, increase productivity and create a structured pathway for success.
Key business benefits
Develop leadership-capable talent with greater confidence and clarity.
Increase retention during and after return-to-work transitions
Boost productivity faster through structured reintegration
Strengthen inclusion culture by supporting parents at a critical career moment
Enhance employer brand with a differentiated, evidence-based offering.
Our solution
Structured Return to Work Programmes
For Returners: we combine executive coaching with image consulting to deliver one powerful outcome: professionals returning to work not just ready—but confident.For Managers: we deliver training and tools to support returners, manage transition, and embed inclusive culture.Companies implementing structured return-to-work programmes report:
- up to 30% reduction in staff turnover
- up to 20% improvement in employee engagement.
Returner Workshop
Interactive, practical sessions to rebuild confidence, clarify goals and strengthen professional presence.Returners leave with practical tools, action plans and peer support.
Management Support
Focused sessions giving managers the tools, language and confidence to support employees through leave and return.Managers leave with practical tools to strengthen retention and team performance.
1:1 Executive Coaching
Tailored to rebuild confidence, reset mindset and support a smooth, empowered return. Tailored support on goals, boundaries and career direction for renewed clarity and purpose.
1:1 Image Consulting
Designed to elevate external confidence and professional presence. Support with dressing for body changes, updating workwear and refining personal brand to align with career goals and pursue a polished return.
The Challenge
Why Supporting Returners Matters for Leadership Pipeline
Organisations want more diverse leadership pipelines, yet many talented people exit during career breaks — especially women.17% of women leave employment completely in the five years following childbirth, compared with only 4% of men.
In addition to the gender-led attrition, many organisations are losing high-potential talent from employees of all genders taking parental or caregiving breaks.Returners often face a confidence gap, professional disconnect and diminished leadership aspiration.Without dedicated support, organisations risk losing high-potential talent and under-leveraging the experience of parents and caregivers.While many returners are women, our programmes are tailored to support all employees returning from extended leave — including men, partners, caregivers and those coming back from medical or career-break intervals.This isn’t just a “women’s issue” — it’s an organisational and leadership challenge.
92%
Find it challenging to return to work
Those who struggle to return successfully are three times more likely to accept lower-paid or lower-responsibility roles, effectively removing them from the leadership pipeline while crushing personal career ambitions.
89%
Feel their career break negatively impacted confidence
The very confidence needed to pursue senior roles and leadership opportunities. Without targeted support, talented women settle for roles beneath their potential.
82%
Return from maternity leave
However, only 57% remain after 12 months – representing a massive loss of potential female leaders from your organization and personal career momentum for the individual.
Why work with us?
Together, Catherine and Laura lead a programme that blends executive coaching with high-impact personal brand transformation.With 30+ years of combined experience in global leadership, high-performance coaching, marketing strategy, and image consulting, we don't just prepare people to return—we position them to succeed..Our executive coaching rebuilds confidence, our image consulting restores professional presence, and our combined approach develops the senior leaders your organisation needs.
Business & Executive Coaching
Catherine Durkin
Founder of careercoaching.ie, Catherine brings strategic leadership, career growth, and high-performance coaching expertise to RTW. With 12 years at Facebook (Meta) leading sales and product marketing teams across EMEA, she has worked with global brands like Burberry, Nike, Rolex, and Estée Lauder.Catherine empowers returners to rebuild confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and navigate career transitions with clarity and purpose.
Image & Personal Branding
Laura Jordan
Founder of StyleSavvy®, Ireland’s only full-service Style & Image Consultancy, Laura has worked with over 500 personal clients and staff from some of Ireland’s largest organisations. She is a leading expert in professional presence, personal branding, and return-to-work styling.Laura equips returners with the tools to re-enter the workplace with assurance, a strong personal brand, and a polished professional presence.
ready to support your returners?
Partner with us to strengthen your organisation’s return-to-work success.Contact us at [email protected] or fill in the form below.
We got your message
Thanks for contacting us! We'll be in touch soon.