The last step to prepare @principal.name for parental leave

@principal.name will be going out on parental leave in a few weeks. It’s time for them to start wrapping things up and handing them over!

Take these actions

• Meet with @principal.name this week to finalize their transition plan and establish their communication plan. 
• Begin transitioning work as appropriate.

Finalize the transition plan

Come to this meeting prepared to make final tweaks to the transition plan and to begin transitioning work. 

Ask their preliminary thoughts regarding returning to work. Do they envision returning part-time? Would they be interested in establishing a schedule with certain WFH days? 

They don’t need to know for sure now. This information only helps you to understand how to best support them through their leave and plan ahead for their return. 

Establish the communication plan

Discuss with your report if and how they would like to communicate during their leave.

Some people choose to unplug entirely and others like to receive updates. 

Make it clear that whichever they choose we do not expect them to work during their leave.

Here are some ideas you can discuss with your report:

• Communicating only when they are nearing the end of their leave to discuss return-to-work expectations, such as hours of work, flexible working arrangements, or adjustments that may be needed.
• Having a dedicated liaison who can: forward critical updates and important emails to their home email account where appropriate, forward invitations to attend social events, training or team building days which occur during their leave (as appropriate), and communicate any organizational changes or updates.
• Doing a monthly check-in with you by email or Zoom.
• Having you send them a monthly email about team happenings (if they respond is up to them).
• Available to a team member only for critical pieces of information (e.g., ask team to send simple yes/no questions).
• Attending a team meeting prior to their return to introduce their new family member to the team.

Ask for their feedback throughout their leave on how well the communication plan they have decided on is working and if any changes are needed.