PREPARE FOR RETURN

Planning can help ease the juggle of work and a new family

RETURNING to work after parental leave is not just a matter of having a date and turning up, with preparation required for a smooth transition. Psychologist Justine Alter says having a plan can help workers tackle challenges.

Alter, co-director of parental leave, work/life and mature-age transition support agency Transitioning Well, says the best plans may begin before leave starts but at any stage, there are steps that can make it easier.

KEEP IN TOUCH

Alter says setting up a plan to communicate with work throughout the leave period is key.

“Discussing early with your manager, team and HR a clear ‘keeping in touch’ strategy for while you’re on leave will help you to navigate your way through this unique and often challenging transition,” she says.

She says most people are unaware they can use up to 10 days of paid keeping in touch days, which employees on unpaid parental leave are entitled to use to stay up to date with their workplace and refresh skills.

SEEK FLEXIBILITY EARLY

If planning to request flexible working arrangements it must be put in writing, Alter says.

By law, organisations must respond to the request in writing within 21 days. The Fair Work Ombudsman has resources outlining entitlements and other legal information.

Alter says it is best to lock in flexible working arrangements in writing before going on leave, as managers and roles can change.

While it can be tricky to negotiate the specifics when issues such as childcare hours have not been finalised, Alter says communicating broader intentions in writing at this time will make details easier to hone when returning to work.

EXTENDING PARENTAL LEAVE

If deciding to extend parental leave beyond the initial return date specified, the sooner it is communicated, the better for everyone involved, as the business may need to backfill the role.

But first, check the legal boundaries around requesting an extensionon parental leave.

It may be better to initially request a longer period of leave, as it can be easier to come back earlier than planned than to ask for an extension later.

BE PREPARED AT HOME

Alter advises families to have open conversations around sharing domestic duties and ongoing care of children.

Consider what can be outsourced and how that can be achieved.

If day care is chosen, transition the child before returning to work, she says. Also have contingencies in place for when the child falls ill, by determining who will care for them before those instances arise.

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

Alter says any transition in life takes time, even when work may be a familiar concept.

“Making the time and space to have some ‘me time’ is really important to keep your life balanced when you return to work after parental leave,” she says.

I DON’T WANT TO PUT MY MANAGER DOWN AS A REFERENCE. WOULD A COLLEAGUE I WORK CLOSELY WITH SUFFICE?