Planning for maternity leave can feel daunting and scary, especially if you are going to be a first-time mom! It’s very normal to experience a range of emotions and have a lot of concerns going in. Taking the time to create a solid maternity leave plan can help you feel more confident and prepared. Below I’ll outline key steps and resources you’ll need to create a plan for your maternity leave:
1. Understand your legal rights and benefits.
It’s important to know what you are entitled to in terms of leave and pay during your maternity leave. In the United States, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires eligible employers to provide employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for the birth or adoption of a child. You should consider FMLA benefits as the minimum guarantee of benefits. Depending on what state you live in, some states also have laws that provide additional rights and benefits. Read more about FMLA for maternity leave here.
In addition to FMLA, you may also be eligible for short-term disability insurance or paid family leave through your employer. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures at your company, and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you have any questions.
It’s a good idea to ask around at your company and see how other mothers took their maternity leave. Ask them how long they took, if they got paid, and how they returned. This can give you a good idea of what to ask for and if the company is likely to grant you exceptions beyond their stated policies and benefits.
2. Plan for your financial needs.
Making a maternity leave plan can be financially stressful, especially if you are not receiving any pay during your leave. To help alleviate some of this stress, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and budget for your financial needs during this time.
Consider your expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and childcare costs. You may also want to set aside some money in a savings account to cover any unexpected expenses that may arise. It’s also a good idea to communicate with your partner or spouse about your financial situation and make a plan for how you will manage your expenses during your leave.
3. Follow a timeline to create your maternity leave plan.
It’s important to note that the specific rights and benefits you are entitled to during your maternity leave will depend on your employer and location, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures at your company.
Here is an example timeline and checklist you can use to start maternity leave planning:
Maternity Leave Plan Timeline
3 months before leave:
- Familiarize yourself with your company’s policies and procedures for maternity leave, including any legal rights and benefits you are entitled to.
- Start budgeting for your financial needs during your leave, including any anticipated expenses and loss of income.
- Notify your employer of your plans for maternity leave and discuss any accommodations or arrangements that may be necessary.
- Make arrangements for coverage of your responsibilities during your leave, including delegating tasks to other team members or hiring a temporary replacement.
- Plan for your return to work, including arranging for childcare and transportation.
2 months before leave:
- Update your employer on your leave plans and any changes to your return date.
- Confirm any arrangements for coverage of your responsibilities during your leave.
- Begin preparing for your return to work, including organizing your work materials and setting up any necessary technology.
1 month before leave:
- Review your budget and financial plans to ensure you are prepared for your leave.
- Update your employer on your leave plans and any changes to your return date.
- Confirm any arrangements for coverage of your responsibilities during your leave.
- Begin transitioning your responsibilities to other team members or your temporary replacement.
During leave:
- Keep in touch with your employer and colleagues to stay updated on any developments or changes at work.
- Take care of yourself and your new child, including getting plenty of rest and seeking support from friends and family as needed.
Return to work:
- Discuss any accommodations or flexible work arrangements you may need with your employer to ease the transition back into your job.
- Update your team on any developments or changes during your leave and get caught up on any tasks or projects that may have come up while you were away.
- Take time to adjust to your new role as a working parent and seek support as needed.
Remember to stay flexible and be prepared to adjust your plans as needed!
4. Talk to your employer about your maternity leave plan.
It’s important to let your employer know about your plans for maternity leave as soon as possible. This will give them time to plan for your absence and may also help you feel more comfortable and supported during this time.
Most people choose to speak to their manager first. When speaking with your manager, be sure to discuss your planned leave start and end dates, as well as any accommodations you may need during your leave. Your employer will want to know how long you plan to take leave, whether you will return to work full-time or part-time or ramp-up, and how to provide coverage while you’re away. During this time, you should confirm your rights and benefits and even try to negotiate anything you’d like beyond the stated policy of the company. It pays to be prepared for this conversation!
Most employers will ask for a formal letter or email that spells out your request for taking maternity leave. Below is a template you can use.
Maternity Leave Plan Request Template
Subject: Request for Maternity Leave
Dear [Employer],
I am writing to request a maternity leave starting on [start date] and ending on [end date]. As you know, I am expecting a child and plan to take [number] weeks of leave to bond with and care for my new child.
I understand that my leave is protected under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and that I am entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. Further, I am aware my employer may offer additional leave or pay through short-term disability insurance or paid family leave policies.
My request is that my leave be [paid/unpaid]. I understand that my benefits will continue as normal during this time. I am also willing to discuss any accommodations necessary to support my leave and return to work.
As things progress and if changes are made to my leave plans, I will keep you updated. Please let me know if there is any additional information you need from me in order to process this request.
Thank you for your understanding and support during this exciting time.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
5. Make arrangements for coverage.
You will probably need to work with your employer to arrange coverage during your leave. This could be finding a temporary replacement or delegating responsibilities to other team members.
It’s a good idea to communicate with your employer and colleagues about your plans. Make and share a clear plan for how your work will be handled in your absence. This ensures that your leave is smooth and your work is taken care of while you’re away.
Here are some steps you should take when you’re ready to arrange coverage for your maternity leave plan:
Ideas for Maternity Coverage
- Talk to your employer: Discuss your plans with your employer as soon as possible. This will give them time to plan for your absence. It may also help you feel more comfortable and supported during this time.
- Delegate responsibilities: Delegate some of your responsibilities to your colleagues. If you trust them, you’ll know your work is in good hands while you’re away.
- Hire a temporary replacement: You may consider hiring a temporary replacement if a colleague is not available. This could be a freelancer or contractor. You can also hire someone permanently if you plan to take an extended leave or are not returning to work.
- Train your replacement: No matter who is providing coverage, they need to be trained and brought up to speed on their new responsibilities. You are the best one to train them. Make sure you take the time to show your replacement what needs to be done and any processes you use to get them done.
- Make use of technology: Depending on the nature of your work, you may be able to use technology to stay connected with your team and handle some of your responsibilities remotely. This could include using video conferencing tools or sharing documents online.
- Plan for a phased return: If you are returning to work after your maternity leave, you may want to consider a phased return. This can involve working part-time or on a flexible schedule for a period of time to help ease the transition back into your job.
Communication is key! This helps ensure that your leave goes smoothly and your work is truly taken care of while you’re away.
5. Plan for your return to work.
Returning to work after maternity leave can be a difficult transition for many new mothers. To make the process easier, it’s a good idea to start planning for your return well in advance. While you don’t know how you’ll feel after having your baby and taking your leave, it’s still a good idea to make a preliminary plan for your return.
The most important logistics to think about are childcare, transportation, and work in the home. If you have a partner, you will need to decide who will take care of which responsibilities when you go back to work. You may also want to consider talking to your employer about flexible work arrangements or taking a phased return to work to help ease the transition back into your job.
6. Create and share your maternity leave document.
Create a maternity leave plan document and make sure to share it with your colleagues.
Here’s what it should include:
- Start and end dates
- How accessible you’ll be during your leave and the best way to reach you
- How you will transition back to work
- Coverage plans and a list of responsibilities for each person involved
- Key projects, deliverables, and timelines
- Any recurring meetings you attend with clients, direct reports, etc.
- Direct reports and their main responsibilities
- Approval processes and information flows
7. Take care of yourself!
Maternity leave can be a physically and emotionally demanding time, so it’s important to take care of yourself and prioritize your own well-being. This includes getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and finding time to relax and de-stress.
It’s also a good idea to build a support network of friends and family members who can offer care, meals, childcare, etc!