When a team member is on maternity leave...

Anonymous

March 19,2019 at 9:56PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

....someone on my team just told me she's pregnant and will be going on leave later this year. I'm very excited for her and want to make sure she feels comfortable being away from work! I also want to make sure my team feels well supported with one key member absent (we are a small but nimble team). Any tips on how I should provide support to both the employee going on leave (she reports to me) and to my other direct reports?

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

7 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

7 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousMarch 20,2019 at 1:07AM UTC
I really liked how accommodating my boss was when I was last pregnant. I was comfortable addressing concerns as they came because my boss was very transparent with that from the beginning. I was never treated differently by my team which I absolutely appreciated.
Katie MaloneMarch 27,2019 at 7:47PM UTC
Yes, does your company/team allow telework opportunities? That makes the transition so much easier. If you could allow her to work from home at the end of her pregnancy (because it is MISERABLE getting dressed when your 9 months pregnant) and maybe working from home a few days a week while she transitions back to work, that would be so helpful.
Also, you may want to consider having her train a "back up" while she's out and start the process early. Also, have her document the process any tasks that are vital to your team that only she does or has control over. That helped me to know my job was getting done while I was out.
AnonymousMarch 29,2019 at 2:18PM UTC
thanks, Katie!
Keri WilsonMarch 27,2019 at 10:36PM UTC
I agree with KatieM45, giving your team member some work location/schedule flexibility as she goes through the process is a great way to support. Just make sure you give other team members flexibility with their needs. As you said, you want to make sure you're supporting her and also the other team members (e.g., if a Dad needs to leave early to coach a game, or a petMom needs to take her dog to the vet). One thing to keep in mind are the rules around Short-term disability and FMLA. Once your team member has had the baby and is officially "on leave" she shouldn't be working. Be sure to talk to HR about what you can and can't do in terms of communications, announcements, and reaching out for help while she's away.
AnonymousMarch 29,2019 at 2:18PM UTC
thank you!
Lydia FrankMarch 27,2019 at 11:37PM UTC
Having a contractor cover while she's out can ensure your team feels well supported as well, and I agree about bringing them on ahead of time so she can help train them. We've done that a few times, and it's worked beautifully. We even managed to hire one of those contractors on full time because we had a new open role by the time our team member was coming back from maternity leave.
AnonymousMarch 29,2019 at 2:17PM UTC
thanks! this is great advice.