Major life events can turn your world upside down. There are all kinds of logistics and planning involved—especially at work. When preparing for life’s big moments, you’ll need to factor in your job and the impact of an extended leave. Whether it’s a new baby, a medical situation, caring for a loved one, or any other event requiring time away from work, planning ahead can make the transition smoother for everyone involved.
In this two-part series, we’ll explore the two sides of preparing for possibilities, first as an employee and then as an employer.
Part One: What to Consider as an Employee Before Extended Leave
Before taking an extended leave, many employees have questions about how to prepare for their leave and their eventual return to work. Here we have Lori Daly, an HR consultant at Inspiring HR and soon-to-be mom, share her perspective as an employee preparing to take maternity leave.
1. Juggling a Career and New Life Responsibilities
Q: How do I balance professional responsibilities with personal life changes?
A: Setting clear expectations and boundaries is essential. For example, you can set designated work hours to remain fully committed during the day while carving out protected time for your personal life.
Lori says: “It’s important to me to fully engage with my clients when I’m at work but also have dedicated time to be a present wife and mom.”
Put It Into Practice: Communicate your boundaries with your employer and colleagues. Plan your transition back to work with your manager in advance to ensure mutual understanding.
2. Considering Options for Childcare
Q: How do I find trustworthy, affordable childcare so I can go back to work?
A: Childcare decisions can feel overwhelming. It’s okay to take your time exploring options that work best for your family. Whether you choose daycare, a nanny, or shared caregiving responsibilities with a family member, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Finding both affordable and reliable childcare is key to maintaining your peace of mind and allowing you the capacity to show up to work as your best self.
Put It Into Practice: Research childcare options early to avoid last-minute stress. Discuss flexible work arrangements with your employer to help manage caregiving responsibilities. If it’s available to you, consider utilizing a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to offset costs.
3. How to Manage Stress and Overwhelm
Q: What strategies can help me stay grounded during and after leave?
A: It’s okay to feel overwhelmed—life changes are hard! Taking small steps like getting fresh air, taking breaks, or leaning on your support system can make a big difference.
Lori’s go-to stress reliever is walking her dog, Tuff, because stepping outside serves as a mental reset. “I also won’t pretend to have it all together. I plan to leverage my village and support from colleagues,” she says.
Put It Into Practice: Build a support network at home and work to share responsibilities. Discuss phased or hybrid return-to-work options with your employer. Use your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), if available, for counseling or mental health support.
4. Impact of Short-Term Disability on Income
Q: What should I know about short-term disability and other income sources?
A: Many people assume maternity leave or extended medical leave is fully paid, but this isn’t always the case. Understanding your company’s policies and planning for income gaps is critical. Lori says “I planned ahead by combining PTO with short-term disability to minimize the financial impact during my leave.”
Put It Into Practice: Review your company’s short-term disability policy to understand eligibility, coverage, and payment timelines. Plan for potential gaps in income by budgeting in advance. Check if you can supplement short-term disability with PTO.
More Ways to Prepare
Make sure you feel confident and prepared when you start your extended leave. Here are five additional tips to ensure your time away from work doesn’t create any issues for you, your family, or your team.
- Understanding Leave Laws and Policies: Know your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or state-specific leave laws. Depending on where you live, you may be entitled to more than just job protection. While federal laws mandate unpaid job-protected leave, your company may offer paid leave as part of your employee benefits.
- Maintaining Benefits: Find out if you’ll need to make payments to maintain health insurance or other benefits during unpaid leave.
- Wellness Resources: Look into benefits that support postpartum recovery or mental health, such as therapy or counseling services.
- Communication During Leave: Discuss expectations for staying in touch with your team while you’re away.
- Returning to Work: Plan for accommodations (like breastfeeding/pumping spaces or flexible schedules) to ease the transition back to work. Advocate for what you need and help your employer understand how you can be productive upon return.
Preparing for any type of leave can feel overwhelming, but taking proactive steps will set you up for success both at work and in your personal life. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series, where we’ll explore how employers can support employees during this important time.
