How to Prepare for Coming Back

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Daisy: I think it's by asking a lot of open-ended questions. It may just be that they're off their game because the baby has been sick. That doesn't mean that you have to solve the employee's problems for them. But at the same time, you can establish a very neutral, supportive way to have those difficult conversations.

Having a baby is exciting — and exhausting. Figuring out how to take parental leave, or manage someone who’s doing it, can add an extra wrinkle.

No matter how long you’ll be away from work, there’s preparation to be done: talking to your boss, making sure colleagues can cover your projects, handling unexpected needs and feelings.

With the help of our guest expert, Daisy Wademan Dowling, we talk about how to effectively plan for your parental leave or the leave of someone you manage. And through the story of a lucky woman whose organization offers 12 months of paid leave, we explore what our lives might be like if we had access to more generous leaves.

Our HBR reading list:

“The Best Ways Your Organization Can Support Working Parents,” by Daisy Wademan Dowling

“Need a Good Parental Leave Policy? Here It Is.” by Joan C. Williams and Kate Massinger

“How Companies Can Ensure Maternity Leave Doesn’t Hurt Women’s Careers,” by David Collings, Yseult Freeney, and Lisa van der Werff

“Denmark Has Great Maternity Leave and Child Care Policies. So Why Aren’t More Women Advancing?” by Bodil Nordestgaard Ismiris

“Why Walmart Expanded Parental Leave — and How to Convince Your Company to Do the Same,” by Sarah Green Carmichael

Get the discussion guide for this episode on our website: hbr.org/podcasts/women-at-work.

Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org

Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.