Five Things to Ask Your Employer BEFORE Maternity Leave

The Five Things People Tell Us They Wish They Had Asked An Employer BEFORE Maternity Leave

Contributed by Julia Beck who is the founder of the It's Working Project by Forty Weeks

We’ve all seen the checklists for the baby registry, the nursery, and the hospital bag, but what about the checklist for your maternity leave? When you’re getting ready for maternity leave or even thinking about pregnancy, HR is a great clearinghouse of information. But the guiding details that can often make the biggest difference in working parents’ leave and return to work don’t come from a manual, they come from real life experiences.

This is where the sisterhood of motherhood comes in.

Here at the It’s Working Project, we’ve talked to moms (and dads!) about their back-to-work experience: what they’ve learned, what they wished they’d known, and what insights they have for other parents.  The conversations are candid, honest, and sometimes not always easy. The biggest takeaway? Many wished they’d spoken up sooner about taking leave.

Over 200 parents have shared their stories with us at the Portrait Project. Many have done so because they want to see one another succeed. We know that sharing stories with other working parents in the private sector can spark a conversation and support positive change in real time.

Here are the top five things contributors to the Portrait Project wished they had asked their employer before going on maternity leave:

1. In addition to the established paid leave you offer moms and dads, can you walk me through the options for extending or maximizing my leave?

2. Do you have a dedicated lactation room? Is it a comfortable, private space with a locking door, refrigerator, and sink? If not, would you consider establishing one?

3. Do you offer employees the opportunity for part-time, flex-time, or gradual return following parental leave?

4. I hope you will be open to the offboarding/onboarding plan I’ve put together to facilitate a smooth transition for both those who manage me and those who report to me?

5. Do you currently offer on-site, near-site, or subsidized child care?  Emergency childcare? If not, would you consider making these options a part of your benefits package?

When discussing your leave, be clear and be confident. We’re learning so much from our parents who have been through it--from their missteps and missed opportunities; shortcuts and workarounds. And by sharing these insights with you, we hope you can make the most of your maternity leave.

Want to share your back-to-work story with the It’s Working Project? We’d love to add your voice and share your advice!

Julia Beck is the founder of the It's Working Project by Forty Weeks, which is committed to helping the private sector successfully bring new parents back to work with ease, as a matter of course and with a sense of pride. Julia launched IWP to paint a clear picture of what the back-to-work reality is like for American families. A mother of four, she lives in the Washington D.C. area.

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