Having a baby? What to ask your employer...
“The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity for growth.” Anonymous
And what bigger challenge in there than growing a human being, raising them to be a good person, and maintaining your sense of self in the process?
I’m yet to meet a parent who says that parenting is easy. In fact just about everyone I’ve ever spoken to about it says it’s, hands down, the toughest job they’ve ever done. It stretches us, it challenges us, it makes us learn, adopt new strategies and try new things. With this challenge we grow, and when we grow, we improve. We broaden our skill sets. We diversify our talents. We add more strings to our bow.
So why does our self-confidence often falter when we’ve had a baby?
Why do we so often doubt our ability or feel that we’ve got less to offer the world of work?
Why do we so often accept what’s offered to us rather than ask for what we want when we return to work?
Many organisations are doing a great job of supporting parents in their workplaces. Is yours?
Below are some of the best practices that organisations are implementing - as well as some questions you can ask to help your employer help you at this exciting, scary and incredible time of your life.
Pregnancy and Preparation for Parental Leave:
On top of congratulating you on your pregnancy, best practice organisations will:
provide you with information about their parental leave policy and procedures, including any payments or benefits above the statutory entitlements, and information relating to how to take Paid Parental Leave and applying for Paid Parental Leave
involve you and other members of staff in a discussion around how your role will be covered during your parental leave, and if relevant, include you in the selection of this person and the creation of a handover plan
discuss return to work options, including your rights to request flexible work arrangements including how the work is done, hours, days, place of work, as well as the option of part-time work, and a phased start
outline your Keeping in Touch (KIT) entitlements and agree a KIT plan with you including when and how often you’d like to be contacted, what topics you’d like to be kept informed about (i.e., invitations to training and development, conferences, team days, project work, social events, organisational changes, etc), how you’d like to be contacted, who you’d like to hear from, and what your contact details will be while on leave
share information relating to the use of the tools of your trade (i.e., your work phone, laptop, access card/keys, company car etc) and coverage of these costs while you are on leave
share details of their private, clean, quiet and suitably equipped (i.e., comfortable furniture, fridge) breast-feeding/expressing facilities
provide access to support services (such as EAP and specialised transition coaching) and resources (such as books, links to useful info, parent networks, buddy system etc)
invite you to visit the business and introduce your baby while on parental leave
Questions you can ask:
Does the business offer any benefits over and above the statutory requirements? Is there any flexibility with respect to how these payments are made (if applicable)? Am I eligible to accrue annual leave while away? Will the organisation continue to make KiwiSaver contributions on my behalf while on PL?
Will I be included for consideration in the annual pay review / bonus / commission payments?
Will I be considered for promotional opportunities while away?
Can I be involved in a discussion about how my role is covered while I’m away? Can I be involved in selecting my parental leave cover? Can I help draft the handover plan?
What are my options in terms of returning to work in a flexible way? Can I return part-time if I wish? Can I phase in my return?
What company-wide events, initiatives, special projects, training programmes, and/or changes to systems and/processes are scheduled for the time that I’ll be away? What am I able to be attend during this period of time to keep in the loop and up to date about the business and / or industry? Who will take the lead for updating me on these?
Will I be able to utilise the tools of my trade while on parental leave? How will those costs be covered?
Do you have a re-induction to work programme that I can attend on my return?
When is it best for us to touch base during my PL with regard to my return?
Where are the breast-feeding/expressing facilities located? Can I see these ahead of time?
Can I have access to a coach to help me navigate the transition from working professional to parent to working professional parent as enjoyably and efficiently as possible? Am I still able to access our Employee Assistance Program for support while on PL?
Does the business have established parent groups or a parent network that I could join? Does the business have a parental leave buddy system in place?
What are the questions that other parental leavers typically asked you?
During Parental Leave:
During Parental Leave, best practice organisations will:
send you their congratulations (and hopefully a bunch of flowers or a present!)
provide a warm welcome when you and your child visit the office
do what they’ve agreed to do in terms of keeping in touch with you prior to going on parental leave
towards the end of the parental leave period, they will express their enthusiasm about you returning to work, confirm a return date, and initiate a transition plan which includes details of a phased or flexible return (if relevant), extended breaks to allow for breast-feeding / expressing, a hand over with the parental leave cover, an overview of changes within the business, and a briefing from your manager and peers.
Questions you can ask:
Can we talk about a transition plan for my return? Have there been any changes with respect to what we discussed around the options for my return? What flexible working arrangements has the organisation granted recently?
What are the major changes (systems, processes, staff, clients, projects) within the business that I should be aware of?
Will my work space be ready for me upon my return? Can I gain access to my parking pass / swipe card prior to my return date?
How does the feeding facility operate? How many mothers can it accomodate at a time? Is there a booking system?
Returning To Work:
Upon your return to work (and aside from recognising your return to the work place - maybe even throwing you a welcome back morning tea!), best practice organisations will:
implement your return to work plan as agreed and make adjustments as required
understand that more flexibility may be required in the initial stages of returning to work as you adjust to the transition and your child settles in with childcare
ensure that you have access to a functional work space and/or the necessary tools and that access codes/keys are available to you
have the feeding facility ready and available for you to use
review your salary and pay any commissions or bonuses due to you
review performance and keep you in mind for any relevant development and/or promotional opportunities
offer and introduce you to peer-based support within the organisation
Questions you can ask:
When can we meet to talk about my career plan?
Who can you connect me with who has recently returned from parental leave?
Is there a mentoring programme that I can join?