How do I create a parental leave plan?

This article details how you can create a parental leave plan to help make the return to work smoother.

Juggling a career and family responsibilities can be challenging but there are some simple things you can do to prepare you for leave that will make the return to work smooth.  

It’s never too early to plan for your parental leave.  

During your pregnancy or when you are starting to plan for your parental leave, you may need to re-organise your workload and communicate your pregnancy and leave plans to your colleagues, clients and other stakeholders.  

Below is a short list to help you keep everything in check:  

• Identify elements of your job that others may need to perform during your pregnancy. 

• Consider tasks that can be done during non-core business hours or remotely. 

• Schedule most meetings within core business hours. 

• Encourage people to come to you or set up online calls instead of in-person meetings. 

• Schedule time off for medical appointments and inform your manager in advance. 

• Decide when parental leave will start and communicate this to colleagues. 

• Discuss with your manager any adjustments to your job performance during leave. 

• Identify tasks for handover and schedule training for colleagues taking over your role. 

• If overwhelmed, discuss workload adjustments with your manager. 

• If you are going to use ‘Keeping in Touch’ days, consider talking to your manager or IT department about remote access to any internal systems and if you’d like to keep your laptop during parental leave. 

It’s also important that you communicate your parental leave with clients as well as the clients’ expectations with those who may be stepping into your roles and responsibilities whilst you're on leave.  

To ensure this process is smooth for all parties, here is a check list to make it very simple:  

• Determine which tasks will be performed differently during your pregnancy or leave including whether someone else will perform your role during parental leave.  

• Agree on these changes with your leader. 

• Inform colleagues, customers, clients, and direct reports about any adjustments to your normal role and responsibilities. 

• Record essential details about your role, including processes, contacts, and relationship management. 

• Ensure this documentation is easily accessible to relevant colleagues in your absence. 

• Conduct multiple handover sessions with those handling your workload during leave. 

• Consider a gradual handover to address any questions before you go on leave. 

• Provide ‘on leave’ contact details (if needed) and specify email and voicemail check frequency. 

• Inform key customers and clients about your leave plans and assure them of continued service delivery. 

• Adjust your ‘Out of Office’ message with the agreed contact details and leave timeframe.