The last step to preparing for your parental leave

Your parental leave is starting in just a few weeks. It’s time to start wrapping things up and handing them over!

Take these actions

• Meet with your manager this week to finalize your transition plan and establish your communication plan. 

Finalize your transition plan

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

Share your preliminary thoughts regarding your return to work plan. Do you envision returning part-time? Would you be interested in establishing a schedule with certain WFH days? 

You don’t need to know for sure now. This information only helps us to understand how to best support you through your leave and upon your return. 

Establish your communication plan

Discuss with your manager if and how you would like to communicate during your leave.

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

But, let’s be clear, we do not expect you to work during your leave!

Here are some ideas of how you might like to communicate during your leave:

• Communicating only when you are nearing the end of your 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 your home email account where appropriate, forward invitations to attend social events, training or team building days which occur during your leave (as appropriate), communicate any organizational changes or updates.
• Doing a monthly check-in with a manager by email or Zoom.
• Having your manager send you a monthly email about team happenings (if you respond is up to you).
• 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 your return to introduce your new family member to your team.

Once you are on your leave, give feedback on how well the communication plan is working or if changes are needed.