Taking & Returning from Parental Leave: How to Prepare Yourself (and Your Manager!)

By Jessica Kurz, Senior Director of Strategic Projects at VTS.  As someone who is about to take my second parental leave in two years, I've learned a lot about how to prepare for the time away from work as well as how to transition back in. I believe that parental leave is essential and that all caregivers should be given the opportunity to temporarily step away from work guilt and stress free. I hope to be able to share some tips from my experience that will help you prepare for each phase of your leave - from the initial conversation with your manager all the way through to being fully back in your role post-baby. You'll walk away from this chat with a better understanding of: When and how to begin discussing your need for parental leave with your manager Ways to plan for your time away from the office How to set yourself up for a successful return to work Ideas for navigating difficult scenarios related to taking leave and adjusting back into work mode post-leave