Going on maternity leave? Start here
If you are heading off on maternity leave soon, here are a few things that can help make the transition smoother.
Understand Your Pay, Benefits, and Keeping In Touch Days
It might feel like admin you don’t have time for, but while you still have the headspace, take a deep dive into how your maternity pay and benefits are structured. Getting clarity now can help you avoid surprises later.
While you’re still close to the day to day at work, take some time to think about how you'd like to use your Keeping in Touch (KIT) days. Once your baby arrives and work feels like a distant memory, it’ll be harder to make that plan.
Talk to Your Manager
This might seem like an obvious one, but after 20 years in HR, I can tell you how much gets left unsaid. It's easy to make assumptions, and two people can walk away from the same conversation with very different interpretations.
Be clear about any support you need in the run-up to your leave. Involve your manager in decisions about your handover. What’s critical? What’s nice to have? When will you stop delivering and start supporting the handover?
Also take the initiative in discussing how (or if) you’d like to stay in touch while you’re off. Think about the type of communication, how often and what topics you’d want to be kept in the loop on.
Start Thinking About Your Return
It’s common to wait until nearer the time to think about your return but doing some early planning now can make all the difference. You can always revisit and tweak it later.
A few things to consider:
A high-level view of your reboarding plan. Who will you need to reconnect with? Which projects will you need updates on?
What kind of flexibility might you need or want? Would a phased return work best?
Make a note of the current status of your key projects, along with any relevant logins and passwords.
Consider what you want to prioritise at home and at work when you return.
Acknowledge How You’re Feeling
When preparing for maternity leave, it’s easy to get caught up in the practicalities and push your emotions aside. But this is a major life and career transition and acknowledging how you feel is just as important.
You may feel daunted about handing your work over after investing so much into your role. You might worry about being overlooked or falling behind. Perhaps you’re looking forward to stepping off the treadmill but still feel anxious about being home alone with a baby.
These are all completely normal thoughts even if you don’t feel able to say them out loud. Journaling, talking with someone you trust, or working with a coach can help you process these feelings and step into your leave with more confidence.