How to Prepare for Maternity Leave :: Seymour's INSIDER Career Report

ProfSpheri

Q. I am weeks away from beginning my maternity leave from work. I have growing anxiety about the long absence from work and worry that I will return to a mess. Do you have any advice on how to prepare for my maternity leave?

Submitted by Avery Stimey, Morganton, NC

Maternity leave should be a time for you to focus and enjoy life with your newborn baby, not stressing about how your office will fare while you are out. The key to ensuring an anxiety-free leave is to be as prepared as possible in advance of your absence. Here are a few tips on how to prepare:

- Agree on a back-up plan. Talk with your boss about how your job duties will be covered while you are away. Many employers will supply a temporary employee to serve as your backup while you are away, or a colleague who will be picking up your duties. Discuss which of your ongoing responsibilities will absolutely need to be handled while on leave, and keep a list of these duties.

- Leave instructions. Once you have agreed with your boss on a list of responsibilities that will be handled by your stand in, develop detailed instructions for each. Err on the side of too much detail, rather than too little. You may even try a “run through” with someone non-related to your job just to be sure your instructions are clear and easy to understand.

- Maintain open communication with your boss. Remain as open as possible with your boss about doctors’ appointments, return plans, etc. For example, if you plan on breastfeeding your baby and will require time at work to pump, make your boss aware and make arrangements to do so ahead of time. Simply avoid springing surprises on your boss or coworkers.

- Get square with human resources. Most companies require you to fill out certain forms or paperwork related to your impending birth, such as life and health insurance changes, tax data, and leave-related information. You don’t want to leave these to the last minute. Visit with your HR department as early as you can and complete the required forms. This will be one less item you’ll need to worry about.

- Breathe. You’ve covered all the bases and you’ve prepared as best you can for your maternity leave. Now it’s time to reap the benefits of all your early planning. So relax, breathe easy and enjoy this amazing time in your life.