Introducing our ParentPrep Toolkit, your essential companion for preparing for your period of parental leave. As an expectant parent this toolkit is designed to support you through this significant period, ensuring a smooth transition both during and after the leave.
The toolkit includes a 3 step process made up of the Path Planner, a Leave Ready Checklist, and a Communication Plan. Let's dive in!
Path Planner: A Five-Step Guide to Preparing for Leave
The Path Planner is a guided process planner that gives recommendations on how and when to prepare for your period of leave and manage during the leave.
Step One: Document Your Role and Responsibilities
Once you've informed your employer of your pregnancy and anticipated leave date, start recording your daily tasks and projects to document your ongoing role and responsibilities. This is useful not only for arranging cover but also for your personal reference. Review this against your current goals to remind both you and your manager of your ongoing achievements and objectives.
Step Two: Begin the Handover Process
Once your employer has agreed on what form of maternity cover your role will take, start the handover process. This should ideally begin at least one month before your anticipated leave date.
Step Three: Prepare Handover Notes
Document a set of handover notes for yourself, reminding you of key contacts and processes. This will ease your transition when you return.
Step Four: Agree on a Communication Plan
Agree on a communication plan with your employer, documenting how you are to be contacted during your period of leave and agree on your level of involvement, if any.
Step Five: Plan the Return
Before your return to work, agree on a date (if you're the birth parent and taking less than 52 weeks, you are to give 8 weeks' notice) and a phased handover back into your role. Agree on a period of overlap to ease your transition, which could range from 1 week to 1 month depending on your role.
Leave Ready Checklist: Ensuring Nothing is Forgotten
This checklist will help you ensure that nothing is forgotten, giving you and your employer the best possible chance of a smooth transition. This should ideally be carried out in the final weeks before taking leave. The checklist includes confirming leave details with HR, informing IT, updating systems that require delegation, informing all contacts of your leave, confirming annual leave dates, completing the communication plan, and setting out of office and agreeing where this will be diverted to.
Communication Plan: Keeping Things Transparent
Document clear forms and methods of communication to enable full transparency and agreement between employer and employee. For each category, write down an agreed form of communication, if relevant. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and that there are no misunderstandings during your leave.
The ParentPrep Toolkit is here to support you through every step of your parental leave journey. Prepare, plan, and communicate effectively with this toolkit to ensure a seamless transition into this new phase of your life. Good luck!
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