297: What it's really like to go on parental leave as a designer

Femke shares her experience navigating the challenges of parental leave, including her decision to take extended time off supported by her employer and Canadian government benefits. She reflects on the challenges of staying connected with the design industry while on parental leave and the potential motivations for returning to work earlier than planned. Femke also discusses how her perspective on work-life balance has evolved over time as she adjusts to her new routine. Timestamps: 01:42 - Life updates from Charli and Femke 05:16 - Deciding how much time to take off and Canadian parental leave benefits 08:06 - Would you consider returning to work earlier than planned? 09:34 - Employer reactions and typical leave duration at Femke's workplace 12:41 - How Femke arranged her 18-month long maternity leave and differences in parental leave across countries 15:56 - Reflections on being out of work for an extended period 18:27 - Adjusting to maternity leave and staying disconnected from work 20:18 - Staying updated on the design industry while on leave Links: Femke’s course “Product strategy for designers” Share your topic suggestions for the show with us at [email protected]