Maternity Matters: How to approach maternity leave
Megan shares the second article in our maternity series providing advice, tips and guidance from a range of The Lowdown contributors on their thoughts around navigating maternity leave.
Having a baby is a wonderful time in your life, but it can also bring about stress and anxiety when considering how to navigate this within your workplace. It may be helpful to consider how to approach this situation in different stages, and it is important to remember that you can change your mind, and your approach at any stage.
Telling your employer you’re pregnant
Don’t apologise: this is a significant life event and should be celebrated. You may wish to consider the best timing to tell your employer, allowing long enough for cover or handovers to be arranged, but you may wish to wait a little longer - just ensure you have informed your employer within the legal timeframe.
Understand your Maternity Policy: these can vary significantly depending on the country and organisation which you work in, and ensure you know your legal rights (and responsibilities) such as, when do you legally need to inform them about your pregnancy.
Speak with a trusted colleague or HR representative: for support and advice about how to prepare for the conversation with your employer or help you understand your maternity policy if this is complex.
Prepare for the conversation: consider which questions you would like to ask, you may like to take some notes and capture key information which you need to share for example planned leave dates, planned return date (though you do not need to provide this information straightaway)
Preparing for maternity leave
Confirm your leave date: ensure your employer is clear on your leave date to ensure a smooth transition and handover if relevant, keep reminding them if necessary. Should your circumstances change, and you wish to change your leave date you should discuss this with your HR or relevant department.
Rest and try to reduce pressure: it's ok to say no to upcoming projects or opportunities, and suggest alternatives. Be open and honest about your leave date and why you are saying no.
You can’t do everything: some things will be left unfinished, handed over to a colleague or can be picked up when you return. If you're creating a handover, ensure it is as thorough as possible, you could even include videos or audio. Don’t leave this to the last minute, start documenting this weeks in advance of leaving to avoid a last minute panic to try and document everything.
Prioritise: consider what is going to offer the greatest impact in the shortest period of time before you leave and discuss and agree these with your line manager so everyone is on the same page.
Communication: Discuss and agree the extent to which you want to be contacted and/or kept up to date with organisational changes with your employer and the best means of communication (e.g. text, phone call, email). Try to highlight a, or a couple of, "second in command(s)" for your priority areas; who are you happy to make decisions, about what, on your behalf.
Returning to work: It is likely that your employer will ask when you intend to return to work, so have considered this and make a plan, but this could change once your baby has arrived,
Whilst you’re on maternity leave:
Maintain your boundaries: Your employer should keep you looped in, but do not feel pressured to make any decisions about your role while you are off. What changes should you be updated on? What changes do you want to be updated on? Consider this before maternity leave and have a conversation with your employer and follow it up in writing.
Be aware of technology: what devices keep you connected to work that might distract you from your leave? Are you being synced into emails about issues/projects outside of your control? Do you want to be able to access your emails from time to time? What expectations do your colleagues have on you receiving their communications?
It's ok to change your mind: perhaps you're hoping to stay connected but realise it's too much when the baby arrives. Ensure you have a conversation about reducing the contact you receive or removing it all together.
Know your rights: These vary depending on the length of your leave, for example in the UK, if you want to return to the same role you must return within 6 months.
Returning to work:
Manage your expectations: Be kind to yourself and realistic about what you can do as a working parent and understand your priorities surrounding work may have changed, and that's ok. The return will be hard as you learn to balance your career with your family life, be upfront with your manager and team about priorities and establishing any boundaries.
Be confident: your cover may have done a brilliant job while you were away but don’t forget it’s your role and you bring your own unique strengths to it.
Be open to negotiation and be flexible: The working contract is a two-way relationship, be open to compromise with your return to work, know your expectations, talk to your employer about them. Be explicit and clear, and follow the conversation up in writing.
Regularly review: the transition may be hard so block out time daily to review how the day has been and how you're feeling; are there any changes you need to make or conversations to be had?
Additional guidance and support: