This article details Keeping in Touch days and communication when on parental leave.
Before commencing parental leave, it is important to discuss with your manager/supervisor and/or people representative the amount of communication you wish to receive whilst on leave. Keeping in touch with progress and changes in your department and in the company while you are on parental leave will assist you in a smooth transition when you return to work.
How often should I contact my manager when I am on leave?
For a smooth transition on a return from parental leave it is important to keep updated with progress and changes within your team and employer. As a guide, it can be worthwhile connecting with your manager every 1-2 months. You may also want to tie in your catch up with a 'Keeping in Touch Day'.
What are Keeping in Touch days?
Keeping in touch days can be a good way for you to stay connected to your workplace during parental leave. Some countries, including Australia, have a specific scheme where an employee can come to work for up to 10 days during their parental leave, without it affecting their unpaid parental leave entitlements. It is worth exploring the arrangement with your employer or the local benefits available in your country.
Keeping in Touch Days should assist you to:
- Transition back into the workplace
- Refresh skills
- Become familiar with new or changed processes or business updates
- Be involved in forward planning discussions or meetings that may impact your role.
As well as regular contact with your employer, you can also be invited to keep in touch with activities such as team wide training initiatives.
'Keeping in Touch' does not prevent you voluntarily attending the workplace to visit colleagues, participate in social events or undertake other unpaid activities at work.