5 Ways of Getting Ready for a Smooth Maternity Leave
You may feel nervous proceeding on maternity leave, and you won’t avoid wondering what happens to your projects. Stepping out for some time from the work you love may be overwhelming, especially when you have no idea where to start. But the key is taking one step at a time. Read on to learn more about managing your absence at work before going on maternity leave.
Prepare a Transition Plan
Make a list of your responsibilities, and identify tasks you can delegate to others. And you can think about a colleague best suited to handle challenging tasks such as reporting, complex functions, and managing client relationships. A transition plan is an excellent way to clarify who will undertake your roles when away and guide them on how to do it.
Engage Your Co-Workers
Discuss this opportunity directly with your coworkers about delegating your work, particularly if you have a team. Let them know they can take on and assume some of your responsibilities when you are away. Listen to what your coworkers say rather than just dumping work on them. Be flexible enough with your plan to accommodate their preferences for more or less responsibility. Taking on additional responsibilities may not appeal to everyone, so you will adjust your plan if necessary.
Discuss With Your Manager
Inform your manager early enough that you will be on maternity leave, and discuss your proposed transition plan. The plan contains extensive details on your projects, milestones, and how you’ve delegated them. Discuss with your manager to communicate clearly right from the start, and describe how you envision your leave and return. It is important to reinforce your commitment to the company and to let them know that you will return to work fully after giving birth.
Decide When to Start Your Maternity Leave
Most companies offer at least three months of maternity leave, and you may take it a few weeks before your baby is due or wait till the last minute to have more days to spend with your baby at home. Give your boss a 30-day notice so they can start planning your transition, as you also work towards clearing your desk before starting your maternity leave.
Learn from Other People’s Experiences
You probably know other women in your office who have taken maternity leave recently. So, before making your maternity plan, sit down with one of them, and they can offer you some insights and suggestions that will help you. There is a good chance that the women you are speaking to had the same questions and concerns as you do. Particularly if your company does not have formal guidelines, it may be necessary to negotiate the maternity leave terms.
Plan a Smooth Transition
Planning for your maternity can be overwhelming, especially if your job demands your full attention. You can design a transition plan that is comprehensive enough to be understood by your manager and provides a clear explanation of how they can handle your responsibilities during your absence.
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5 Ways of Getting Ready for a Smooth Maternity Leave
